The controversies never seem to end when it comes to Donald Trump. In total, two chefs who were working with him scrapped the deals that they had initially agreed to because of the now-famous racist comments made by the presidential hopeful. Celebrity chefs Jose Andres and Geoffrey Zakarian pulled out of the upcoming Trump Hotel in Washington D.C.
Zakarian, chef and partner at Lambs Club, among others, opted out just one day after fellow celebrity chef Jose Andres dumped Trump, citing the same reason as Andres. On July 8, Andres came out with a statement making saying it is "impossible" to run a Spanish-food restaurant, with no less than half the staff being Hispanic, in light of the remarks.
Chef Jose Andres is of Spanish descent and is a naturalized American. Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, on the other hand, has is of Armenian-Polish descent.
Andres is quoted saying, "Donald Trump's recent statements disparaging immigrants make it impossible for my company and I to move forward... More than half of my team is Hispanic, as are many of our guests. And, as a proud Spanish immigrant and recently naturalized American citizen myself, I believe that every human being deserves respect, regardless of immigration status."
In a Washington Business Journal report, one of Trump's spokespersons revealed that Zakarian put in $490,167 deposit for a "first-class restaurant". Zakarian was supposed to lease 9,344 square feet for the business. He had scrapped and forfeited all that just to steer clear of Trump.
The complaint shows a July 17 letter from Zakarian's company to Trump Old Post Office LLC seeking the termination of the agreement. According to Zakarian, "the recent statements surrounding Mexican immigrants by Donald Trump do not in any way align with my personal core values."
He also adds that, "Zakarian Hospitality employs many immigrants from nations all over the world."
Zakarian's company sent Trump Old Post Office LLC a letter July 17 attempting to terminate the lease for cause, according to the complaint. Zakarian's team arguing that Trump's comments violated covenants of quiet enjoyment, good faith and fair dealing.
Both chefs are being sued for damages amounting to $10 million each.
