Edinburgh's Tom Kitchin has suspended two senior restaurant staff members over bullying claims.
The chef, who has appeared on several TV shows, has also launched an investigation after a number of allegations were made about behaviour within his restaurants.
Kitchin, who runs the Michelin-starred restaurant The Kitchin and the Scran and Scallie in Stockbridge and Southside Scran in Bruntsfield, says that addressing the issue will be his top priority in the weeks, months and years ahead.
The Guardian reports that a string of claims were made by former staff who had complained about a "toxic workplace". Allegations included that members of staff had been assaulted by senior chefs, including one case which led to a burn.
And according to The Times, one former chef James Dunn (28) says he sought therapy after working at the Kitchin in 2017.
Peter Southcott, managing director of the Kitchin Group, said: “Following allegations of unacceptable behaviour, two senior members of staff have been suspended while these claims are fully and independently investigated. We will not hesitate to take whatever action may be necessary.”
Kitchin said: "Top kitchens the world over can be high-pressure, frenetic and challenging environments where emotions often run high. However, the exacting standards of our food and service must be matched by the standards of behaviour in our kitchens and wider operations.
“In the last few years, the feedback from our team members underlines the significant strides we’ve taken to improve what had often been a traditional culture in our kitchens but we have more to do.
“I’m immensely proud of my colleagues at the Kitchin Group and where we have fallen short, we will address it and remedy it. That will be our clear priority in the weeks, months and years ahead.”
