Matthew Kenney is in hot water as allegations mount against the celebrity chef and entrepreneur, once at the helm of a vegan dining empire. He's accused of exploiting investors' faith in the green movement, leaving behind millions in debt and bouncing checks, but the ongoing legal proceedings are now in the dozens.
The news
Until not too long ago, Matthew Kenney was a symbol for those who believed in values like sustainability and personal responsibility towards the environment. He was behind essential destinations for vegan devotees, such as Plant Food & Wine in Venice, Los Angeles, and similar establishments across California and worldwide.
However, Kenney is now at the center of a massive media storm, with the New York Times amplifying the outcry. The investigation is based on testimony from 60 individuals, mostly former employees or investors, who allege financial misconduct, racism against coworkers, and generally fostering a hostile work environment. Things seem to have been going wrong for at least thirty years, to the point of jeopardizing the company's stability with bounced paychecks, millions of dollars in lost investments, over a million dollars in unpaid taxes to the state of New York, and dozens of ongoing legal cases across multiple courts.
Kenney rose to fame in the 1990s with his non-vegan restaurant Matthew's in New York, and then for the strictly plant-based Pure Food and Wine, which he co-founded with his then-girlfriend, Sarma Melnagailis. This was followed by openings in Oklahoma and Connecticut, with a particular concentration around San Francisco (all of which are now closed). Signs that something was amiss had already emerged in the 2022 Netflix documentary "Bad Vegan: Fraud. Fame. Fugitives," where early financial troubles were revealed.
The scandal deepened with an investigation by the Los Angeles Times, which reported millions of dollars in unpaid rent, bad checks issued to employees, and unpaid debts to suppliers and investors. In response, the chef expressed his intention to change his ways. However, he and his associates have become unreachable, and the company website has been silent for six weeks. Actress and producer Cindy Landon, who invested in the restaurants, said she feels the chef took advantage of her commitment to veganism. Financial records appear incomplete, and the money seems to be lost. But some aren't giving up: former partner Kyle Saliba, who opened five restaurants with Kenney, has sued him and two close associates for fraud, seeking $25 million in damages.
