Michelin-Starred Chef Aurélien Largeau Leaves Position Amid Hazing Allegations

Police launch investigation into alleged incident involving junior kitchen staff member at Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz, despite no formal complaint being filed.

Michelin-starred chef Aurélien Largeau has left his position at the Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz, France, following allegations of a hazing incident in his kitchen.
The alleged incident involved a junior kitchen staff member being tied naked to a chair, with an apple in his mouth and a carrot in another part of his body, while the rest of the kitchen staff, including Largeau, watched.
Footage of the incident was reportedly shared on social media but has since been removed. The hotel management ordered employees to delete the images and tasked their IT department with erasing all online traces of the incident.
Largeau has denied the allegations, calling them 'defamatory and false comments' and a 'monstrous attack' on his 'honour' and his 'formidable teams'.
Despite no formal complaint being filed by the victim, the police have opened a preliminary investigation for sexual assault and violence.