“A worrying incident” caused the departure of the starred chef from a luxury hotel in Biarritz (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), we learned this Thursday from the Hyatt group, while the newspaper South West evokes the “humiliating hazing” of a kitchen assistant. “The management of the Hôtel du Palais is informed of the worrying incident which took place on the premises of the hotel and of images which have circulated,” declared a manager of the hotel giant which operates this establishment. The Bayonne public prosecutor’s office, which has not received any complaints at this stage, has opened a preliminary investigation into charges of sexual assault and violence on its own initiative, said prosecutor Jérôme Bourrier.
“This incident does not reflect the values that we defend, an investigation was carried out and the appropriate decisions were made. The safety, health and well-being of our colleagues, customers and partners are our top priorities,” she added without making further comments. According to the regional daily, the departure of Aurélien Largeau, 31, took place on December 21. This chef recruited in 2020 to run the gourmet restaurant of the five-star hotel had a star in the Michelin Guide since last year.
Facts dating back to December 2
According to South West, the events allegedly took place on the morning of December 2 in the kitchen. For several hours, a young clerk was allegedly tied naked to a chair, with an apple in his mouth and a carrot in his buttocks, in front of members of the brigade, in the presence of Aurélien Largeau. Images were recorded and shared on social media, since removed.
Contacted, the City of Biarritz, the main shareholder of the mixed economy company which owns the walls of the palace, whose personnel management is delegated to the Hyatt group, did not wish to comment on the matter. “We learned the information from the press,” assures one of the administrators of Socomix, Patrick Destizon, opposition municipal councilor in Biarritz. “During the board meeting held on December 21, during which the management (of the hotel, editor’s note) presented its quarterly management report, this episode was not mentioned,” he underlines.