'Top Chef' crowns controversial winner who was fired from restaurant for inappropriate behavior
On the season finale of Top Chef Thursday, Texas-based chef Gabe Erales was crowned as the winner. He beat out former Olympian Dawn Burrell and big-time fan favorite Shota Nakajima on his way to making history as the first Mexican contestant to earn the title of Top Chef.
“One of the biggest things that has really warmed my heart is knowing that I am the first Mexican Top Chef,” Erales said. “I'm happy to be representing my culture, my cooking, and also a group of people that, really, operate the kitchens across the U.S.”
But not everyone is celebrating his win, after news made the rounds on social media recently about his firing from Austin-based restaurant Comedor in December. The restaurant's co-owner, Philip Speer, said via email to media outlets that the firing was, “Due to repeated violation of our policies and for behavior in conflict with our values.” And he told The Austin Chronicle that the high-profile firing had him feeling, “Everything from sadness to anger to disappointment to fear, and I am sure that everybody in the company feels the same way.”
And while no charges have been filed against Erales, viewers on Twitter want to know more, with comments like, “Curious why it hasn’t been a bigger deal that Top Chef winner Gabe Erales was fired from his previous gig. … Wish we knew more details bc the rumors aren’t great.”
Curious why it hasn’t been a bigger deal that Top Chef winner Gabe Erales was fired from his previous gig for “repeated violations of our policies and for behavior in conflict with our values.” Wish we knew more details bc the rumors aren’t great https://t.co/jBlFUJJuxE
— Sarah (@Sarah_Oestreich) July 2, 2021
ok but for real #topchef not addressing Gabe being fired from his job and the allegations against him AT ALL is really irresponsible. I just discovered this today, and people like me have been watching and (not me) rooting for him all season with no idea.
— Kristen ?? (@KristenBOOKS) July 2, 2021
Viewers also noticed that there has been no mention of Erales’s win on the social media accounts for Bravo or Top Chef, nor did he join the Top Chef judges on Watch What Happens Live after the finale, which is customary. In fact, Erales and his victory were only briefly mentioned on WWHL with a quick, “Congratulations, Gabe,” from host Andy Cohen.
Laughing out loud at @BravoTopChef not making a winner announcement tweet or IG post because THEY KNOW about Gabe’s firing and harassment.
— masatortilla (@TweetsIndustry) July 2, 2021
Top Chef winners usually show up on Bravos #WWHL with Andy Cohen along with the judges. Is Gabe on tonight?
— Annemarie No Justice No Peace Harris (@amharris34) July 2, 2021
Meanwhile, co-host Padma Lakshmi weighed in about the controversy.
To be clear, no one has alleged sexual harassment on the record or otherwise to Bravo/Top Chef and we judges didn't have any indication of inappropriate behavior from Gabe during his time on set.
— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) July 2, 2021
As someone who has been sexually harassed, this topic is a serious one and merits openness.
We filmed Top Chef in October of last year & were not aware of the allegations now coming out about Gabe.
This should be investigated & the network should consider its best action.— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) July 2, 2021
So while some feel the world deserves to know more about a firing that seems just a bit too vague for a new Top Chef winner, it seems many fans ultimately did get what they wanted. Because on WWHL, finalist Nakajima was announced as the winner of the Fan Favorite award.
Top Chef airs Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. on Bravo.
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