The James Beard Award-Winning chef had appeared on several other cooking shows, wrote an award-winning cookbook, and was considered to be one of the preeminent New Orleans chefs.

However, in between his Top Chef appearance being filmed and the episode airing, 25 women came forward with allegations that Besh had created a work environment in which sexual harassment and assault flourished. One woman even said that she was forced into a "long-term unwelcome sexual relationship" with Besh himself.

Soon after the news came to light, Bravo made a statement that they were evaluating Besh's episode to decide whether or not it should air. Then, days after the series premiere, Bravo announced that it would edit Besh out of the episode entirely (he was replaced with footage of chef Chris Cosentino).