Restauranteur Barbara Lynch Accused of Workplace Abuse

Throughout her 25-year career, Barbara Lynch earned critical acclaim as a chef and leader in the restaurant industry — earning accolades such as Outstanding Restaurateur in 2013 from the James Beard Foundation and one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2017.

But now, former employees have come forward with complaints of physical and sexual abuse. Investigations from The New York Times and the Boston Globe allege the workplace abuse spanned decades.

Lynch’s origin story of overcoming poverty in South Boston and pushing against sexism as a female line cook made her a role model in the restaurant world and beyond.

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