Michelin-starred restaurants should be stripped of their awards if staff are bullied, says Unichef.
The chefs’ union, which advocates for “zero tolerance of abuse in kitchens,” said that allegations of abusive behaviour towards staff was too common within the industry.
Members from the union are now being asked to sign a petition aimed at removing Michelin stars and rosettes from restaurants where abuse takes place, reported the Times.
Award-winning chef Asma Khan, the owner of Indian restaurant Darjeeling Express in London, has also backed the campaign against abuse in the sector.
In a social media post, she wrote: “Break the silence - restaurant kitchens should not be a place of fear. A question for Michelin Guide UK: Do you have a code of conduct for a restaurant/chef you award a star to?
While in another tweet she said: “#BoycottTheBullies”
Break the silence- restaurant kitchens should not be a place of fear #BoycottTheBullies pic.twitter.com/QqUgm2fLsS
— Asma Khan (@Asma_KhanLDN) July 4, 2021
Executive director of the union, Brian McElderry, told the Times: “We also call for the Michelin and AA guides to consider rescinding stars and rosettes awarded to establishments that have serious abuse allegations proven against them.
“The awarding of accreditations and/or sponsorship in a company’s name can no longer be deemed acceptable where the suffering and abuse,” he added.
The petition comes after reports that Tom Kitchin, who runs the Michelin-starred restaurant Kitchin and gastropub Scran & Scally, was forced to suspend two senior staff over allegations of abusive behaviour towards employees.
The Kitchin Group has since said the claims would be “fully and independently” investigated.
