Boycott Drama at Grocery Bistro: The Restaurant’s Side of the Story

The parents of Grocery Bistro chef Andre Christopher parked their van outside the restaurant Wednesday in protest of what they believe is unpaid wages owed to their son, but the restaurant’s lawyer is downplaying the dispute. “This is the sort of thing that should be resolved by people sitting down and talking with each other,” attorney Michael Radzilowsky told us. The attorney was vague on the nature of what exactly occured: “There was a blowup and [Grocery Bistro owner Marcel Somfelean] asked me to talk with the chef. I tried to do that, but there was just was no response from the other side. To my understanding, [Christopher] was at work and the blowup occurred and he took his tools with him and left.”

Radzilowsky would not comment on the allegations of unpaid compensation, but did concede that “certainly things … needed to be worked out.” The restaurant has approached Christopher, says Radzilowsky, but nothing’s been resolved. “I have no idea why the van’s out there when I’ve made an unequivocal offer of ‘let’s sit down and try to work this out,’ he told us. “I think it’s very unfortunate because the chef was a major part of making this a good restaurant. There’s no question that his cooking and his work is what’s helped make the restaurant what it is.” Christopher’s parents may not be helping the matter, either: “Here’s this kid who if he wants to move on to something else, this is not going to help him — to have his parents sit outside of an employer and complain.”

Previously: What’s With the Boycott Drama at Grocery Bistro?

Tags:

Boycott Drama at Grocery Bistro: The Restaurant’s Side of the Story