Top Chef winner Gabe Erales apologizes for workplace affair that cost him his job



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Gabe Erales apologized on Saturday for his dismissal late last year over allegations of sexual harassment.

The Chef, who won the final season of Top Chef earlier this month, wrote on Instagram that he was “deeply and sincerely sorry for the impact my bad decisions have had on those involved.”

The circumstances surrounding Erales’ ousting from his restaurant Comedor in Austin, Texas became clearer in July after she admitted to having an affair with an employee at her restaurant, before later cutting her hours.

Own: Top Chef winner Gabe Erales apologized to Instagram on Saturday after admitting to having an affair at work and docking employees hours later

Own: Top Chef winner Gabe Erales apologized to Instagram on Saturday after admitting to having an affair at work and docking employees hours later

“The past three weeks have been a difficult time for reflection and personal growth,” Erales began in her text message on Instagram.

“I remained silent not because I thought it was going to go away, but because I needed time with my family to begin the healing process before making a public statement,” he continued. . “To say I’m sorry I let down my family, friends, staff, supporters and Top Chef family might seem like an understatement at the moment, but it’s the first step and a real start on my road to make amends.

Rather than devoting his energies to the woman he is accused of harassing, the boss has spent more time apologizing to his wife.

“Most importantly, I let down the person who has always been by my side to support my career and our family, my wife,” he wrote.

Change focus: rather than devoting his energies to the woman he is accused of harassing, the boss spent more time apologizing to his wife

Change focus: rather than devoting his energies to the woman he is accused of harassing, the boss spent more time apologizing to his wife

Support: He admitted the case and then reduced his hours, although he only described the situation as

Support: He admitted the case and then reduced his hours, although he only called the situation “bad judgment” [sic]

Moving on: Erales concluded his statement by promising to learn from his

Moving on: Erales concluded his statement by promising to learn from his “mistakes.” He was fired in December from his restaurant Comedor in Austin

The reality TV star went on to write “I have to continue to admit my mistakes, including the dismissal from my old job.”

“To clarify, unbeknownst to my wife, I had a consensual relationship with a coworker and then reduced his working hours, which in combination was bad judgment. [sic] appeal and led to my dismissal after filming Top Chef, ”he said.

After the layoff he said he was at his “lowest point”, putting him in danger of “potentially losing my family when I had already lost my job”.

“I am deeply and sincerely sorry for the impact my bad decisions have had on those involved. My personal growth will be a perpetual excuse in the search for forgiveness, ”he continued.

Opening: Erales first admitted the case to US statesmen in Austin in July, just after winning Top Chef;  always Top Chef

Opening: Erales first admitted the case to US statesmen in Austin in July, just after winning Top Chef; always Top Chef

Erales concluded his statement by vowing to learn from his “mistakes”.

“I spent a lot of time reflecting on these mistakes and taking the necessary steps to be a better husband, father, leader and leader, with the help of therapy and spirituality,” he continued. . “I recognize that part of the role of an executive chef is to define the culture and defend the values ​​of the restaurant.

“I am committed to doing the personal and professional work each day to create a positive and safe work environment in all that follows for me professionally. I can’t wait to create foods that represent [sic] my heritage and my culture as a chef that I know I can be, but my main focus now is my family and those who continue to support me during this difficult time. ‘

In December of last year, Erales was fired from his position as executive chef at Comedor.

While the announcement is somewhat vague, co-owner and chef Philip Speer said he was fired for “repeated violations of our policies and behavior that conflicts with our values.”

Doesn't pass odor test: The outlet also reported that co-owner and chef Speer did not believe the employee's performance was a

Doesn’t pass odor test: The outlet also reported that co-owner and chef Speer didn’t believe the employee’s performance was “reason enough to cut hours.”

In an interview with the Austin American-Statesman, Erales admitted his affair with an employee and tied up his hours.

The outlet also reported that Speer did not believe the employee’s performance was “sufficient reason for the reduction in hours.”

He added that Erales had been “fired for repeated violations of the company’s ethics policy regarding harassment of women.”

The interview came out shortly after he was crowned winner of Top Chef season 18, but the show had already investigated his dismissal.

Sources close to the show told The Austin American-Statesman that Erales did not engage in inappropriate behavior on set. Nakajima, whom he beat to earn $ 250,000.

Speaking Out: The series determined Erales was not inappropriate on the Top Chef set, but Padma Lakshmi was apparently unaware when she asked for one in earlier this month's tweets

Speaking Out: The series determined Erales was not inappropriate on the Top Chef set, but Padma Lakshmi was apparently unaware when she asked for one in earlier this month’s tweets

Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi was apparently unaware of the investigation, as she asked for one in tweets earlier this month.

“As someone who has been sexually harassed, this topic is serious and deserves to be opened up,” she wrote.

“We filmed Top Chef in October last year and weren’t aware of the allegations about Gabe. It should be investigated and the network should consider their best action. ‘

However, she added: “To be clear, no one has alleged sexual harassment on file or otherwise to Bravo / Top Chef and we, the judges, have had no indication of inappropriate behavior on Gabe’s part during. his shoot. ”

Serious topic: Lakshmi took to Twitter, pointing out that there were no allegations of misconduct on set during the filming of Top Chef, but that the topic of sexual harassment

Serious topic: Lakshmi took to Twitter, pointing out that there were no allegations of misconduct on set during the filming of Top Chef, but that the topic of sexual harassment “deserved the openness” and the investigation

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