Jean Imbert, the starred chef at Plaza Athénée, has stepped down from that role due to domestic violence accusations, the Paris palace's management announced. He remains artistic director. Jocelyn Herland takes over as executive chef.
Plaza Athénée management announced that Jean Imbert, gastronomy star and Top Chef winner, is no longer the chef of the starred restaurant due to domestic violence accusations against him. François Delahaye, the palace's general director, confirmed this to AFP, initially reported by Ebra group newspapers.
Imbert retains an artistic director role, providing ideas for concepts or new dishes without operational authority. "With what happened in his private life, we are removing him from the front line," Delahaye explained. Imbert's contract was set to end in June, but this decision hastens the transition. Jocelyn Herland, already executive chef, now leads the kitchen.
The restaurant's name, currently Jean Imbert au Plaza Athénée, may change, though Delahaye said there is time to decide. Attendance has been impacted since the revelations. The director stressed presumption of innocence: "If he is proven guilty, I will take my responsibilities. But for now, he is still presumed innocent."
A Versailles prosecutor's office investigation into domestic violence followed a complaint by Imbert's ex-partner, actress Lila Salet, over 2012-2013 incidents. Other women, including Miss France 2006 Alexandra Rosenfeld, reported violence, such as a broken nose in 2013 during an M6 show. Imbert denies the accusations.
