Donald Trump has a few empty kitchens to fill.
A day after Washington-based super-chef Jose Andres announced he was backing out of a deal to open a restaurant in Trump’s planned luxury hotel, Geoffrey Zakarian, another noted chef, is following suit.
Zakarian, who’s known for high-profile restaurants and Food Network appearances, was slated to open an eatery called The National — an offshoot of his popular New York restaurant of the same name — in the renovated Old Post Office Pavilion next year. But he had second thoughts after Trump’s recent anti-immigrant comments, which have caused a number of corporate partners to sever ties with the real estate mogul-turned-GOP presidential candidate.
Like Andres, Zakarian, who often invokes his Armenian American heritage, released a statement citing business and personal motivations for bailing on Trump.
“The recent statements surrounding Mexican immigrants by Donald Trump do not in any way align with my personal core values,” Zakarian’s statement reads. “In light of this, I am unable to move forward with a restaurant in (Trump’s hotel) ... Zakarian Hospitality employs many immigrants from nations all over the world, and I look forward to continuing this business culture in my future restaurants. We are a nation built from immigrants, my family included.”
A spokesman did not respond to questions about the terms of any deal the Iron Chef competitor had inked with Trump. But a Trump spokeswoman suggested the move could by costly for the restaurateur.
“We know Geoffrey Zakarian very well and this decision has absolutely nothing to do with his ‘core values,’” the spokeswoman said in a statement. “Zakarian is using the distortions by the media of Mr Trump’s comments in an opportunistic attempt to renege on clear and unequivocal obligations under his lease. Zakarian has put up a non-refundable $490,167 [Dh1.8 million] deposit and has fully guaranteed the lease.”
Despite the cavalier tone of the Trump organization, the departure of the two celebrity chefs that Trump had secured to fill the marquee spaces in his glitzy Pennsylvania Avenue complex leaves questions about who might step in to replace them. Perhaps a chain restaurant without a single chef who represents the brand?
Experts say Trump might need to hang a big ‘Help Wanted’ sign — or offer a potential tenant a sweet deal. “He’s gonna have a tough time,” said one broker.
