Guy Grossi, the chef behind Melbourne venues including Grossi Florentino and Ombra Salumi, and the face of Brisbane’s Settimo, has apologised after allegedly groping a female journalist at an industry event in February 2022.
An investigative report published by the Age this morning says the journalist claims Grossi “put his arm around her, stared at her cleavage and then grabbed her right breast without consent.” The masthead decided not to name the woman “to protect her privacy and high profile in the industry”.
In a statement issued via Grossi’s lawyers, the chef said:
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SIGN UP“I in no way wish to discredit [redacted]. I was only made aware I had offended [redacted] upon receiving questions from the Age. Had I been aware previously, I would have apologised to [redacted] immediately.
“I am devastated to know that any of my actions caused [redacted] disrespect, and I unreservedly and sincerely apologise to [redacted] for that.”
In response to questions from the Age, Grossi denied touching the woman’s breast and said he remembered the interaction differently.
The chef also allegedly touched another journalist’s breast without consent on the same night. Grossi admits this second incident occurred, but denies it was intentional. He says he was “inadvertently bumped from behind and propelled forward” and “made contact” with the woman and apologised to her on the night, the Age reports.
The masthead says both allegations were supported by five different accounts.
The Age says it also interviewed over 30 former Grossi restaurant employees during a months-long investigation. The report uncovered additional allegations including that Grossi commented on a waitress’s breasts and another that he touched a waitress’s thigh while intoxicated. Grossi denies these allegations.
A number of former staffers interviewed also spoke to Grossi’s character calling him a “great leader, hard-working individual, hands-on” as well as “a complicated personality.”
In his original statement, the chef said, “I have always been committed to creating a positive and respectful culture in all of our restaurants and with our staff, and more broadly with everyone who works in the hospitality industry.”
If you’ve been the victim of sexual harassment in a hospitality workplace or witnessed an incident, read activist Jamie Bucirde’s advice on navigating the situation.
If you would like to speak with someone about an experience you have had, or would like more information, please call 1800Respect on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800respect.org.au.
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