The affair started on December 21, but has only just been made public. Star chef Aurélien Largeau, who had worked at the Palais de Biarritz for several years, was immediately dismissed by his management, following humiliating acts allegedly suffered by a clerk, and who reported them to his colleagues. An odious hazing, which involves photographs taken of the young man “naked, tied to a chair, an apple in his mouth and a carrot in his buttocks”, all in front of the members of the brigade, probably laughing. Aurélien Largeau would be the instigator of this hazing according to the internal investigation carried out by the management of the Palais de Biarritz, which entrusted it to the Biarritz authorities.
This Thursday, December 28, 2023, the Biarritz public prosecutor’s office has announced that it will take charge of the case, in order to shed light on the humiliating facts suffered by this young man. From AFP, after a revelation made by our regional colleagues from South Westa manager of the luxury hotel indicated “that the management of the Hôtel du Palais (has been) informed of (this) worrying incident which took place on the premises of the hotel”. It further indicates that images were taken of this hazing, and circulated within the brigades for several days. Fearing that the establishment would be tainted by this serious affair, the professional recalled that “this incident did not (reflect) the values (that they defend): “An investigation was carried out and the appropriate decisions were taken”. On December 21, 2023, after nearly four years at the head of the Grand Palais, Aurélien Largeau was fired.
He faces 6 months in prison
31-year-old chef Aurélien Largeau was chosen to run this gourmet restaurant at the 5-star hotel in 2020. Last year, he received his first star in the Michelin Guide. According to South West, the facts attributed to him by management and the clerk would have taken place on December 2, 2023, in the morning. The young man was reportedly tied to a chair for several hours in front of his colleagues. Hazing was made illegal in 1988, even when the victim consents. Persons guilty of “hazing” face 6 months of imprisonment and a fine of €7,500. For now, Aurélien Largeau remains presumed innocent.