Trump settles lawsuit against celebrity chef
The Trump Organization has settled another lawsuit with a celebrity chef.
The company had sued Geoffrey Zakarian, a Food Network star, for breach of contract after he refused to open a restaurant in the Trump Organization’s new Washington, D.C. hotel. On Monday, lawyers announced that the suit had been settled, just days after a similar suit against Jose Andres was settled.
Both chefs pulled out of the hotel when, on the campaign trail in 2015, Mr. Trump made derogatory remarks about undocumented Mexican immigrants. Mr. Trump then sued both chefs for $10 million, which was met by an $8 million countersuit from Andres.
The details of both settlements are secret. “After an intense, two-year legal battle, we are pleased we were able to amicably resolve our differences and wish Geoffrey continued success,” read a statement from Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., who have taken control of the family business while their father is president.
The Trump Organization’s hotel on Pennsylvania Ave., which is now the site of semi-regular protests against the administration, eventually opened up a BLT Prime restaurant from chef David Burke.