Seven years after facing serious allegations of fostering a culture of sexual harassment within his restaurant group, Besh John is set to open a new restaurant in New Orleans. As reported by the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate, Delacroix Fish Camp & Bar marks a significant moment in Besh John’s career, raising questions about his role and the industry’s response to past accusations. Located next to the Riverwalk Outlets mall on Spanish Plaza, this new venture prompts reflection on whether Besh John ever truly stepped away from the restaurant scene.
In 2017, an extensive eight-month investigation by the Times-Picayune detailed claims from 25 current and former employees of Besh Restaurant Group (BRG). These individuals alleged experiencing sexual harassment, leading to four official complaints filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The accusations extended to Besh John himself, including one former employee’s EEOC complaint describing a “long-term unwelcome sexual relationship” and an incident of non-consensual sexual contact. This complainant also reported facing workplace retaliation when attempting to end the relationship.
Following these serious allegations, Besh John relinquished his CEO position at Besh Restaurant Group, which was later rebranded as BRG Hospitality. He issued a public statement acknowledging a “consensual relationship” and expressing regret for any “harm this may have caused.” However, despite stepping down from the CEO role, Besh John remained a co-owner and partner, maintaining financial ties to BRG’s portfolio of 12 restaurants. This raises questions about the nature of his departure and the extent of his accountability.
The upcoming opening of Delacroix Fish Camp & Bar, described as a Louisiana seafood restaurant featuring an oyster bar, brings Besh John back into the public conversation. While BRG’s communications manager stated that Besh John’s role at Delacroix would mirror his ongoing involvement with other BRG restaurants – primarily mentoring and training culinary staff – this new venture still places him in a more visible position. BRG representatives have downplayed the idea of Besh John seeking a return to the spotlight, emphasizing his focus on working “behind the scenes” to nurture young chefs. However, the very act of opening a new restaurant with his name still associated, even indirectly as “besh john,” inevitably draws renewed scrutiny.
Shannon White, who succeeded Besh John as CEO, continues to oversee BRG Hospitality’s daily operations. Octavio Mantilla, the co-founder of the restaurant group, who also faced accusations in the 2017 report, remains a co-owner. Mantilla’s recent appointment as a commissioner for the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center further complicates the narrative, highlighting the continued presence of key figures from the controversy within New Orleans’ influential circles. Mantilla has publicly stated that Besh John’s current role is focused on “teaching and inspiring,” echoing BRG’s official line.
For the past year, Besh John has reportedly been more actively involved with the staff at Restaurant August and Luke, two of his established New Orleans restaurants. According to reports, Besh John stated this increased involvement was “what the company needs as new projects arise.” This statement, coupled with the Delacroix opening, suggests a gradual but deliberate re-emergence of Besh John within BRG Hospitality and the New Orleans restaurant community. The question remains: what exactly is this involvement, and what message does it send given the unresolved issues of the past?
Adding another layer to the Delacroix Fish Camp & Bar story is its public funding component. Earlier this year, the New Orleans City Council approved a measure enabling the Riverwalk Outlets mall operator to raise up to $25 million for new venues at Spanish Plaza, including restaurants. This funding mechanism involves an additional 2 percent sales tax on Riverwalk shops customers, meaning public money is directly contributing to Besh John’s latest restaurant endeavor. This public financial backing adds to the complexity and raises ethical questions about supporting ventures linked to individuals with a history of serious allegations.
The allegations against Besh John emerged during a period of significant reckoning within the restaurant industry and broader society, sparked by the #MeToo movement. Following similar accusations against prominent figures like Ken Friedman and Mario Batali, many faced professional repercussions, including lost deals and diminished public standing. However, recent trends suggest a potential pattern of comeback attempts by some of these figures. Ken Friedman, for instance, worked behind the scenes on the LA hotspot Horses, and Mario Batali has hinted at a return through social media. This context frames Besh John’s new restaurant opening as part of a larger industry narrative concerning accountability, redemption, and public memory.
Construction for Delacroix Fish Camp & Bar is underway, with an anticipated opening in early 2025. As Besh John steps back into the New Orleans restaurant scene with this new project, the industry and the public will be watching closely. The opening of Delacroix is not just another restaurant launch; it is a litmus test for how the industry and community grapple with issues of past misconduct and the path toward accountability and change.
