‘Top Chef’ winner Gabe Erales breaks silence following misconduct report

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Gabe Erales apologizes weeks after a December 2020 report surfaced in the Austin Chronicle stating the chef was sacked as head chef at Comedor, a restaurant in Austin, Texas, on allegations of sexual misconduct.

Erales, named the 18th season winner of Bravo’s hit show “Top Chef” earlier this month, made a public statement on his Instagram Friday addressing his “Top Chef” co-stars, Family and friends turned.

“The past three weeks have been a grueling time of reflection and personal growth. I kept silent not because I thought it was going to go, but because I needed time with my family to begin the healing process before making a public statement “he said started in a series of photo screenshots.

“To say that I am sorry for abandoning my family, friends, co-workers, supporters, and my top boss family may feel like an understatement right now, but it’s the first step and a real start on my way to make amends.

“Most importantly, I let the only person down who was always by my side and supported my career and our family, my wife,” he continued.

According to his Bravo Bio page, Erales is married and has four children. He has shared several photos of his family on his Instagram, including a recent post in June thanking his spouse and children.

News of the Erales controversy prompted “Top Chef” presenter Padma Lakshmi to speak out on Twitter and call for an investigation.

“As someone who has been sexually harassed, this issue is a serious issue and deserves openness. We filmed Top Chef last October and didn’t know the allegations were now being made against Gabe. This should be investigated and the network should take into account . ” his best move, “she tweeted.

To be clear, no one has accused Bravo / Top Chef of sexual harassment, and we judges had no evidence of inappropriate behavior by Gabe during his time on the set.

– Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) July 2, 2021

She added in a follow-up tweet, “To be perfectly clear, no one has alleged Bravo / Top Chef alleging sexual harassment or otherwise, and we judges had no evidence of inappropriate behavior by Gabe during his time on the set. “

Bravo, owned by TODAY’s parent company NBCUniversal, didn’t comment on allegations against Erales, but a production-related source told TODAY earlier this month that “Top Chef” was shot last September and (the production team) didn’t found out about his departure from Comedor until last December.

In his post, Erales said he appreciated his time participating in the latest season of “Top Chef,” which was filmed in Portland, Oregon, before referring to the allegations against him.

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