Jean Imbert, a leading figure in the new French culinary scene, is currently at the center of a media scandal related to accusations of domestic violence. On April 23, 2025, damning testimonies from four of his former partners have caused outrage. They report serious incidents: psychological abuse, moral pressure, and for some, physical assaults. The accusation is not based on an isolated incident but on a repeated pattern in several intimate relationships.
What seemed to be a well-kept secret behind the golden curtains of French gastronomy is now public. The smooth image of the media-savvy chef, crowned with success and recognition, wavers under the weight of the revelations.
Jean Imbert: a meteoric rise with many faces
Born in 1981 in L’Haÿ-les-Roses, Jean Imbert developed a passion for cooking at an early age. Trained at the Paul-Bocuse institute, he opened his first restaurant, L’Acajou, at just 22 years old. This place quickly became a sought-after address, symbolizing his precocity and keen sense of culinary staging.
However, it was in 2012 that his name truly made its mark. Indeed, he won season 3 of the show Top Chef on M6.
His career then took a spectacular turn. He became the chef at the Plaza Athénée in Paris, succeeding Alain Ducasse, and then at La Palme d’Or in Cannes, which was awarded a Michelin star. His collaborations with international celebrities such as Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, and Robert De Niro reinforced his image as a social, creative, and accessible chef.
This exceptional career established him as a major name in French haute cuisine and a sought-after profile in culinary entertainment shows. However, behind the spotlight’s glare, some already mentioned a moody temperament, extreme perfectionism, and sometimes oppressive managerial demands.
Disturbing and converging testimonies
The Elle article gives voice to four women. Their accounts, though distinct, paint a troubling picture. All mention an obsessive control, a progressive isolation from their surroundings, and demeaning and sometimes violent behaviors.
Zoé, a pseudonym for a woman from the cultural world, speaks of a partner who controlled her messages and monitored her comings and goings. She describes a toxic relationship where every move was scrutinized.
Kelly Santos, an art fund director, mentions brutal jealousy fits and humiliating remarks.
Lila Salet, an actress, reports an episode of domestic violence, where Jean Imbert allegedly broke her apartment door before cutting off the electricity.
Finally, Éléonore, from the audiovisual field, talks about a shoot that went awry. She claims to have received a headbutt, resulting in a broken nose.
The chef’s organized response
In response to these accusations, Jean Imbert reacts promptly. Through his lawyers and communication team, he categorically denies the allegations. He acknowledges “complicated relationships” but asserts they were “dysfunctional but mutual.”
He provides the media with testimonies from ex-partners who have nothing to reproach him for. Additionally, he supplies conversation screenshots meant to prove his good faith.
Regarding the injuries, he admits to a “scuffle” during a shoot, which he claims to have partly suffered himself. He emphasizes the need not to take the facts out of context.
French gastronomy shaken
The discreet world of haute gastronomy is struck with astonishment. Unlike the film or political world, few chefs have spoken publicly.
Economic consequences are already visible. Several reservations have been canceled, notably in the restaurants he manages. Some partners are considering a temporary contract break. On social media, users are divided.
The reflection of a structural phenomenon
The Jean Imbert affair is not limited to a mere news item. It is part of a broader reflection on the use of influence by certain power figures, particularly concerning their intimate relationships.
The courage of the women who testify, despite reputational risks and reprisals, follows in the wake of MeToo. But it also highlights the difficulty of separating the public man from private behavior.
An uncertain judicial and media outcome
To date, no official complaint has led to an indictment or conviction. However, the journalistic investigation has already had a major impact.
Feminist collectives are demanding symbolic sanctions. Some media outlets mention a potential accelerated “cancel culture.” Others emphasize the presumption of innocence, a fundamental principle of the rule of law.
A chef under pressure, a society on alert
As the investigation continues and testimonies accumulate, society watches, divided. Between necessary denunciation and judicial caution, the affair embodies a pivotal moment in the relationship between power, fame, and intimacy.
This case touches on sensitive themes: harassment, digital reputation, media justice, toxic celebrity. Jean Imbert’s name now extends beyond the gastronomy circle. It circulates in the media, on social networks, in public debates. Many await the justice system to listen to the complainants and rule objectively. In the courtrooms as in public opinion, a truth is hoped for. Even if delayed, it could finally clarify the facts. And, in the silence of the courtrooms, allow the fragile but essential light of justice to emerge.