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It’s an unexpected story. One of the candidates of Top chef was forced to leave his restaurant at the request of his colleagues. Via a press release, it is announced that his team refuses to work with him.due to his violent behavior towards them, his verbal abuse, his threats“. The accused is Lilian Douchet, seen in the 2022 edition of Top chef won by Louise Bourrat.
A Top Chef ousted from kitchens for violent behavior
Restaurant Lil’Home“nestled in the heart of the Dutch Houses on the Quai des Chartrons in Bordeaux“, announcement “rebel” and change chef via a press release dated November 18 but published on the establishment’s Instagram account on February 9, 2024. Lilian Douchet had been in the kitchen since the opening, in May 2022.
“Following the unanimous wish of the restaurant team to stop working alongside him, Lilian Douchet had to leave the restaurant“, we learn in the caption of a letter from employees. “On the evening of Saturday November 18, 2023, we decided to close the restaurant“, we can read there, while a “violent behavior“, of the “verbal abuse“and”threat“from the leader are denounced.”We apologize again to the customers who had to endure the closure of the restaurant [au soir du 18 novembre, NDLR]but chef Lilian did not want to leave the premises and the employees were forced to protect themselves“, the post also states.
Lilian Douchet (Top Chef) denies and gives her version
For her part, Lilian Douchet formally denies the facts. Contacted by South Westhe denounces a “handling“orchestrated by his cousin Aliaume Gonthier, with whom he joined forces in this affair.”I am defamed, I have never resorted to any form of violence. In the kitchen, we sometimes raise our voices. But threats… Never! I can be harsh and demanding, but always caring“, assures the one who officiates in parallel to the furnaces of Lady Augustine, restaurant located in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. Moreover, according to him, certain members of the team in turn resigned in order to show their support.
Top Chef: Lilian Douchet removed from her restaurant, a family affair involved
Lilian Douchet, disappointed, regrets having reached this point: “It saddens me that this affair is now in the public arena, because it is a dirty family affair. It makes me very sad to come to this, I trusted my cousin.“Because the establishment first belonged to Aliaume Gontier.”It was his restaurant and I had to give him a hand.”, regrets Lilian Douchet, who had tackled Philippe Etchebest’s kitchen. “From the start, I invested fully but, very quickly, things got worse: my name was used, the dishes were changed in my absence, etc. They used me. Besides, I have never been paid for my work in Bordeaux.“
After the ouster of Lilian Douchet, already a new chef at the restaurant
Even more, the Instagram page of Lil’Home reveals the name of Lilian Douchet’s replacement. This is Louis Becan, a chef in the kitchen since the age of 14 and who studied with Michel Guérard, three-starred, among others. He thus, as announced, “took the reins in the kitchen and the team is now united alongside him“. A new era for the restaurant, which will now offer “a new and daring interpretation” traditional cuisine. All with Basque-Gascon flavors, in homage to the origins of Louis Becan.
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