High-profile Chicago chef Cosmo Goss fired over ‘inappropriate’ photo incident
Cosmo Goss, executive chef of five Publican restaurants in Chicago, has been fired by parent company One Off Hospitality, months after an incident “that violated a staff member’s privacy and respect,” according to a statement from the Chicago-based restaurant group.
Another employee, Antonio Molina, general manager of Publican Anker in Wicker Park, also had his employment terminated by One Off in relation to the incident. Eater Chicago first reported the news.
The firings can be traced to an employee at a One Off restaurant sharing an inappropriate photo of a co-worker without her permission among staff. That happened in late 2016, according to separate statements by both One Off and Goss. But the incident didn’t come to light until early this fall when the subject of the photo reported it to company human resources, and One Off started an investigation immediately, according to a One Off spokeswoman.
The employee who shared the photo was fired earlier this year for unrelated personal performance issues. Neither the fired employee or subject of the photo were managers.
After a three-week outside investigation, One Off removed Goss and Molina from their positions. Goss, who helmed the five Publican-branded kitchens in One Off’s stable of restaurants, was not allowed in any of the company’s Wicker Park properties (Big Star, Dove’s Luncheonette, Violet Hour, Publican Anker) during the investigation.
Goss “thought it was a fleeting incident,” said the spokeswoman in an interview, “but the reason this is so concerning is he was executive chef. He didn’t report the incident, or fire the person (who took and shared the photo). He discussed it with other employees.”
A One Off employee for seven years — he was named executive chef last year — Goss is also a coauthor of the recently released cookbook, “Cheers to The Publican,” alongside One Off partner and chef Paul Kahan. Goss is no longer part of the book’s promotional tour.
“The old mantra is that it’s ‘just kitchen culture,’ that ‘it’s just the way it is.’ It is actively counterproductive to perpetuate that,” said the spokeswoman. “This is a societal issue, and as you see examples of people stepping up in other industries, it makes one optimistic that this pervasive culture can be changed.”
One Off already mandates harassment training for managers, but will be examining its employee training and handbooks.
In his statement, Goss admits to treating the incident of viewing the inappropriate photo as a “fleeting moment that was wholly unprofessional and unacceptable.” He wrote that he is “deeply sorry to the woman portrayed in the photograph and the other individuals whom these consequences have affected.”
Goss was already planning his exit from One Off for a venture announced in February with Erling Wu-Bower, formerly chef of Nico Osteria, another One Off restaurant — their project is called Pacific Standard Time. One Off, a partner in that restaurant, is supporting the project; for now, says the spokeswoman, the partnership and operating agreement are under evaluation and Goss’ position is under review.
As for that project, Goss wrote in his statement, “My partners and I will bring an overdue perspective with a strict set of standards to our next venture. These standards include professional, human resources counsel, and continual training in areas of sexual harassment, hostile work environment and all-encompassing sensitivity — for all employees.”
One Off’s news comes amidst increased scrutiny of workplace sexual harassment via the viral #MeToo movement, started last week in response to allegations leveled against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.
On Monday, chef John Besh of New Orleans, resigned from the company he built, Besh Restaurant Group, after 25 women came forward with sexual harassment allegations against him, other managers and the company for fostering “a culture of sexual harassment,” reported Brett Anderson for the Times-Picayune after an eight-month investigation.
“This is the first complaint we’ve heard of this nature,” said One Off’s spokeswoman.
“We want to acknowledge the severity of these actions, and want this person to feel that her story is being heard. Just because you’re beloved and a rising star doesn’t mean you’re not held accountable just like everyone else.”
Joseph Hernandez is a Chicago Tribune staff writer.
jbhernandez@chicagotribune.com
