Controversial Sushi Chef Out at Gansevoort Amid More Racism
NEW YORK NYC RESTAURANT NEWS
NYC RESTAURANT CLOSINGS
Controversial Sushi Chef Out at Gansevoort Amid More Racism Allegations David Bouhadana still plans to expand Sushi by Bou by Serena Dai
Nov 1, 2017, 9:58am EDT
Chef David Bouhadana at his Gansevoort Market counter | Photo via Sushi by Bou
Divisive sushi chef David Bouhadana’s 30-minute omakase restaurant Sushi by Bou is no longer at its original location in the Gansevoort Market. The tiny counter that first opened in May drew controversy in the summer after Eater reported that the white chef had been using a fake Asian accent during service. Market owner Chris Reda confirmed that Sushi by Bou and its counterpart Sushi by Bae are no longer at the Chelsea food hall as of Tuesday. He said that the relationship ended “amicably” as Bouhadana pursues brick-andmortar opportunities. On Monday, news came out that Bouhadana would be opening a counter at the Jue Lan Club.
In an email statement to Eater, the Sushi by Bou team said that the restaurant is moving because the new location will be able to serve alcohol, whereas the Gansevoort Market does not have a liquor license. Two more locations are also planned for 2018, the statement said. But multiple sources within the market say that the departure was not so rosy. One source close to the market says that the chef’s contentious relationship with the Department of Health was related. Bouhadana has publicly battled the department’s rule to wear gloves while making sushi — calling it a “BS rule” that ruins fish. Vendors at the market were uncomfortable with the relationship, with some perceiving that the DOH visited more frequently after Sushi by Bou joined, the source says. Multiple sources within the market also say that Bouhadana made “derogatory comments towards the culture of food he prides himself on” and toward employees at other vendors in Gansevoort, including comments that they considered racist. The chef continued to use a fake Asian accent, one source says, noting that it’s one reason he wasn’t welcome anymore. Reda declined to comment about the controversies surrounding the chef. Bouhadana called the allegations “completely misinformed” in a statement.
NYC RESTAURANT CLOSINGS
Controversial Sushi Chef Out at Gansevoort Amid More Racism Allegations David Bouhadana still plans to expand Sushi by Bou by Serena Dai
Nov 1, 2017, 9:58am EDT
Chef David Bouhadana at his Gansevoort Market counter | Photo via Sushi by Bou
Divisive sushi chef David Bouhadana’s 30-minute omakase restaurant Sushi by Bou is no longer at its original location in the Gansevoort Market. The tiny counter that first opened in May drew controversy in the summer after Eater reported that the white chef had been using a fake Asian accent during service. Market owner Chris Reda confirmed that Sushi by Bou and its counterpart Sushi by Bae are no longer at the Chelsea food hall as of Tuesday. He said that the relationship ended “amicably” as Bouhadana pursues brick-andmortar opportunities. On Monday, news came out that Bouhadana would be opening a counter at the Jue Lan Club.
In an email statement to Eater, the Sushi by Bou team said that the restaurant is moving because the new location will be able to serve alcohol, whereas the Gansevoort Market does not have a liquor license. Two more locations are also planned for 2018, the statement said. But multiple sources within the market say that the departure was not so rosy. One source close to the market says that the chef’s contentious relationship with the Department of Health was related. Bouhadana has publicly battled the department’s rule to wear gloves while making sushi — calling it a “BS rule” that ruins fish. Vendors at the market were uncomfortable with the relationship, with some perceiving that the DOH visited more frequently after Sushi by Bou joined, the source says. Multiple sources within the market also say that Bouhadana made “derogatory comments towards the culture of food he prides himself on” and toward employees at other vendors in Gansevoort, including comments that they considered racist. The chef continued to use a fake Asian accent, one source says, noting that it’s one reason he wasn’t welcome anymore. Reda declined to comment about the controversies surrounding the chef. Bouhadana called the allegations “completely misinformed” in a statement.
