Tom Colicchio's Craftbar Accused of Taking Tips

Celebrity chef Tom Colicchio, owner of Craft, Craftbar and Craftsteak, and a familiar face to millions for Top Chef, is being sued in Federal court by a former waitress who accuses his company of denying employees a portion of their tips and distributing the earnings among supervisors. Nessa Rapone, a Brooklyn resident who worked at Craftbar from March to May 2007, says the company also "failed to pay proper overtime compensation," and illegally retaliated by firing her when she objected to the policies. According to City Room, Rapone's lawyers say they hope other Craft employees will come forward so the can certify the lawsuit as a nationwide class action. (There are Craft restaurants in Dallas, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Las Vegas and Ledyard, Connecticut.) Colicchio has not yet released a statement.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in Food on December 12, 2008 11:55 AM

Comments [rss]

livetoeat

I worked for the man years ago -- there's no truth to this. While every other restaurant boss was robbing their people blind, Colicchio was honest and fair. Every penny we earned, we got, plus healthcare and benefits which is more than I can say for most waitressing jobs.

zstone

Y'all think Tom himself is skimming off the top? He probably had no idea. This happens at a lot of restaurants. They're not supposed to, but managers often take a little chunk. I lived with it for two and a half years. This chick worked there for two months? Go work somewhere else. I'm pretty sure she's not destitute if she can get a waiting job at Craftbar.