HONOLULU — A former sous chef at Margotto, a prominent restaurant in Ala Moana, has won a $3.15 million verdict against the restaurant’s owner following allegations of physical abuse by the head chef. The lawsuit revealed claims that Andrew Debellis, 23, endured repeated assaults at the hands of chef Yohei Yagishita, undermining his aspirations to master traditional sushi cuisine.
Debellis moved to Honolulu with ambitions of becoming a skilled sushi chef but instead found himself in a distressing work environment. In the lawsuit, he described instances where Yagishita allegedly punched and slapped him for minor mistakes or no apparent reason, including a severe incident on Christmas Day 2023 that left Debellis with whiplash and unable to work. Debellis stated that even after therapy, he struggles with shoulder mobility, unable to lift more than 15 pounds.
The jury’s ruling, which included $2.1 million in punitive damages, signals a condemnation of the work culture at Margotto. Debellis’s attorney, James DiPasquale, emphasized that the findings were bolstered by testimony from colleagues who reported the abuse to the restaurant owner, Kazumoto Robert Hori, who reportedly failed to take action.
Hori’s legal team argued that California’s workers’ compensation laws prohibited Debellis from suing him and claimed that he was unaware of the alleged abuse until after the critical incident on Christmas Day. Despite their defense, court documents suggest Debellis maintained a positive relationship with Hori, a statement that may contradict the severity of the allegations against Yagishita.
Yagishita was alleged to have engaged in a pattern of bullying from the start of Debellis’s employment in October 2023. Fairly minor errors reportedly provoked violent reactions, such as being stabbed with a fish skewer and repeatedly slapped for seeking assistance with recipes written in Japanese. This aggressive behavior prompted intervention from a concerned coworker who contacted the restaurant’s external human resources provider, yet little was done to prevent further occurrences.
Debellis expressed deep frustrations over the workplace atmosphere, reflecting that the reported incidents resemble extreme stereotypes associated with high-pressure kitchens. He described himself as someone who perseveres through pain, saying, “I’m a person who powers through,” despite the emotional and physical scars left on him.
The Margotto dining experience, known for its lavish ten-course tasting menu, offers gourmet dishes influenced by traditional Japanese cuisine. The restaurant’s reputation juxtaposes harshly with the claims of its internal environment, as Debellis remains focused on his culinary passion, recently returning to work at another restaurant in Waikīkī.
Reflecting on the jury’s verdict, Debellis noted that while the compensation might be significant, it didn’t change the challenging experiences he faced. He emphasized the enduring love for his craft, underscoring the importance of mastering the intricacies of sushi-making and Japanese culinary traditions.
The case highlights the ongoing discussions regarding workplace safety and the responsibility of businesses to ensure a respectful environment for all employees. The actions taken, or lack thereof, by the management at Margotto serve as a crucial reminder of the impacts of workplace culture on employee well-being.
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