NOT-SO-TOP CHEF

Celebrity Chef Mike Isabella Accused of Sexual Harassment

A lawsuit accuses the “Top Chef” alum of verbal and physical harassment.

Top Chef alum and celebrity chef Mike Isabella has been accused of sexual harassment by one of this former top managers, according to The Washington Post. Chloe Caras filed a lawsuit in D.C. Superior Court, asking for “$4 million in damages” from Isabella and his business partners for verbal and physical harassment. Caras alleges that Isabella and his partners called her a “bitch” and a “whore,” commented on her buttocks, and touched her without her consent. Other allegations claim that Isabella “grabbed her hair and pantomimed sex” and subjected her to sexism and yelling in the workplace. Isabella allegedly made a sexist comment towards Caras and fired her once she expressed anger at the remark. Isabella’s lawyers have since denied the allegations put forward by Caras, claiming she “stormed off the job and refused to return, insisting she had been fired.” This comes after the Post also spoke to former pastry sous chef Sara Hancock, who told the newspaper that Isabella kissed her cheek in the kitchen and made the workplace a “frat house.” Isabella’s lawyers refused to comment on Hancock’s allegations.