Former restaurant manager sues celeb chef David Burke over…

January 4, 2025

A woman claimed she was fired from celebrity chef David Burke‘s Red Horse restaurant after complaining about sexual harassment from a sous chef and an investor.

Michelle Provost, the former general manager at the Iron Chef’s place in Rumson, claimed in a lawsuit she was subject to an “unbearably toxic work environment rife with sexual harassment, gender discrimination and retaliation,” according to the Asbury Park Press.

Chef David Burke posing at one of his restaurants, David Burke Townhouse, in Manhattan. Christopher Sadowski
One of the restaurant’s investors offered to pay Provost for sexual favors. Michael L. Diamond / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Provost claimed a sous chef named Rafael pestered her for dates, and tried to kiss her before dragging her into one of the restaurant’s bathrooms — releasing her only when someone else entered, the outlet reported.

Another sous chef allegedly openly talked about Provost’s breasts with other workers, while an investor kissed her and offered her and another female employee cash for a sexual favor, the paper said.

In September, Provost was apparently punched in the ribs while breaking up a fight between two customers — one of whom was brandishing a knife.

She was fired in October after taking three days off to recover from a fever, Provost contended.

“This is not college,” she claimed Burke told her, according to the outlet. “It’s not high school, it’s not college, get over it.”

Burke has his own flatware and cookware lines, and has written cook books. J. Scott Wynn

The suit named Mach Rest, LLC, which does business as Red Horse by David Burke, as well as Burke, the Asbury Park Press said.

Burke, who makes regular television appearances, also has published cookbooks and sells his own signature flatware and cookware. He could not immediately be reached by The Post.

Burke told the Asbury Park Press Friday he had not seen the suit. He emphasized he personally wasn’t accused of sexual harassing Provost.

“I can’t tell you anything else, but remind you it’s an allegation,” Burke said. “We run a tight business, and we have many of them. This is something we have to sort through and unpack.”

Chef David Burke posing at one of his restaurants, David Burke Townhouse, in Manhattan.
Chef David Burke posing at one of his restaurants, David Burke Townhouse, in Manhattan. Christopher Sadowski
An exterior shot of Red Horse by David Burke.
One of the restaurant’s investors offered to pay Provost for sexual favors. Michael L. Diamond / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Another photo of Burke, holding a large steak.
Burke has his own flatware and cookware lines, and has written cook books. J. Scott Wynn

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