On Saturday July 3rd, baby cook owner Edouardo Jordan posted a long statement on Instagram, in which he „apologized to everyone I have injured, abused and made uncomfortable” and indicated that he has „proactively started to take corrective action”. In the status update that Jordan wrote to explain it, it says: “ologie. Accountability. Action.”
The announcement comes almost three full weeks after Seattle Times published an investigation report dated June 13th in which 15 women accused Jordan of sexual misconduct, including unwanted touch and verbal harassment. According to four women who worked with Jordan from 2012 to 2017, the chef groped them at work; another woman accused Jordan of trying to make unwanted advances while on a business trip in 2014; and 10 other women said the chef made indecent comments and touched them inappropriately over the years. The women’s accounts were confirmed by 13 other sources, including former employees.
The cook initially denied the majority of the allegations; On the day the report was released, he posted a statement on Instagram that seemed defensive rather than regretful – a post that was later removed. (The Text will be published here). In his new statement, Jordan admits, “My first reaction was rash and the obvious emotion of defending myself, which was not my intention. It lacked the depth, empathy, compassion and humility that I wanted to embody since the day I decided to share my voice through the food I serve in a community I love. ”
After this Seattle Times came out, the majority of Jordan’s 18-person employees at the award-winning Ravenna restaurants JuneBaby and Salare immediately resigned. Former workers recently reported on a tense past weekend, telling Eater Seattle that they hope, as an informal union, to make positive change and possibly push for state laws to combat harassment in kitchens. (No Washington sexual harassment law is specifically designed for the industry).
While Jordan’s most recent public statement has been shaped by carefully chosen words – „although I am deeply ashamed of my behavior, I am immensely proud and grateful for what my team and I have achieved over the years” – few details admit to make amends for his plans. He says he will „invest in platforms and services that protect, empower and support those who seek support and educational resources” with the aim of creating safer environments in the restaurant industry, but did not go into details of what that entails could bring.
Jordan didn’t say what might be next for his restaurants. A message on the official website indicates that Salare has finally closed after six years. Before the Seattle Times An investigative article planned to reopen JuneBaby for indoor dining and merge the space with the Lucinda Grain Bar, but those plans appear to be on hold indefinitely. Both places will remain closed until further notice days after Washington State officially lifted most of its COVID restrictions on restaurants.
