Man arrested over claim chef was ‘tortured by broccoli’



A member of staff at one of Britain’s top restaurants has been arrested after two chefs alleged they were assaulted while working in the kitchen.

One chef claimed he had his trousers set on fire with a blow torch and had red-hot pans pressed on his arms.

He also says he was stung on the back of his neck with nettles while making a nettle risotto and was beaten with a rolling pin.

Boiling point: The Star Inn is at the centre of the allegations

He alleges he saw another chef being punished by being held aloft by his legs and having his head dunked in a vat of lukewarm broccoli and Stilton soup which was later served to guests at the Star Inn at Harome, North Yorkshire.

It was the first restaurant in Yorkshire to win a Michelin star.



North Yorkshire Police have arrested a 26-year-old man at the centre of the allegations, said to have taken place earlier this year.

He has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Yesterday a police spokeswoman confirmed the allegations.

The Star Inn is co-owned by chef Andrew Pern, who is in his 30s, and his wife Jacquie. Although the couple are separated, they still run the business.



Yesterday Ms Pern said: ‘We are dealing with the matter in accordance with our employment procedures.

'We are taking the allegations extremely seriously.’

The Star Inn is the Good Pub Guide County Dining Pub Of The Year for 2010.

