“A Sacramento-based Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur is facing a wave of accusations from former employees as he prepares to expand his restaurant empire in California’s capital.”

“Chris Barnum-Dann, owner of the acclaimed Localis and Betty Wine Bar + Bistro, has been accused in a string of social media posts of misbehaviors including sexual harassment, belittlement, verbally abusing and belittling staff, paranoid behavior and wage theft spanning more than a decade.”

“The claims first surfaced in March on Reddit forums before spreading to Instagram, with many former workers reportedly leaving due to “sexual harassment,” as reported by The Sacramento Bee.”

“Localis, which launched in 2015, has held a Michelin star since 2022, and Barnum-Dann was named Michelin’s California 2025 Sommelier Award winner.”

“In a public Instagram statement, with comments disabled, Barnum-Dann expressed regret for any harm he may have caused although he did not explicitly address the allegations leveled at him.”

“Barnum-Dann has denied the sexual harassment allegations.”

“In a similarly high-profile case earlier this year, world-renowned chef René Redzepi resigned from his landmark Copenhagen restaurant Noma after dozens of former staff accused him of physical and verbal abuse, including punching employees, jabbing them with kitchen tools, and fostering a toxic culture of long hours and mistreatment.”