Arnaud Delvenne, a finalist on Top Chef in 2022, is facing new legal troubles. The 40-year-old Belgian chef was taken into custody in late August in the Hauts-de-Seine department on suspicion of domestic violence against his partner. The partner claims he was punched several times in the face at Delvenne's home in Clamart. The Nanterre prosecutor's office confirmed the detention.
This case comes just weeks after initial accusations against Arnaud Delvenne in a professional context. A former employee accuses him of, among other things, psychological and sexual harassment. The chef admitted to inappropriate behavior and stated that he was working on himself.
This scandal is also reminiscent of the proceedings that recently affected another Top Chef personality , Jean Imbert, who was taken into custody after several complaints from former partners.
A police intervention in the middle of the night in Clamart
The alleged offenses committed by Arnaud Delvenne date back to the night of August 20-21, 2026, in his apartment in Clamart. Three people were reportedly present: the chef, his partner, and a friend of the chef. Alcohol was reportedly involved during the evening.
Around 2:30 a.m., an alarm went off in the apartment. Police officers responded, initially believing it was a possible burglary. Upon arrival, they reportedly found a distraught man with facial injuries.
The man identified himself as Arnaud Delvenne's partner. He reportedly told police that an argument had broken out and accused the chef of hitting him several times in the face.
Her partner claims to have been hit several times.
The alleged victim also reportedly explained that she had been threatened by Arnaud Delvenne's friend who was present in the apartment. Injuries were reportedly found on her face.
The man reportedly did not want to be treated by the firefighters. He preferred to leave the scene by taxi to go to his mother's house and announced his intention to file a complaint.
Arnaud Delvenne was then taken into custody. He was released on August 25. The Nanterre prosecutor's office has not yet specified what legal action will be taken in this case. The chef declined to comment on these new accusations. He remains presumed innocent.
Already accused of moral and sexual harassment by a clerk
This new case comes as Arnaud Delvenne had already been implicated this summer by a former kitchen assistant of Bistrots Pas Parisiens, a group for which the chef developed the menus of several establishments.
The young man accuses the Top Chef finalist of psychological and sexual harassment. He claims to have submitted various pieces of evidence to support his accusations, including text messages, photographs, and recordings. According to his account, the harassment was specifically aimed at forcing him to resign after he refused the chef's advances.
Arnaud Delvenne then acknowledged part of his behavior and stated: "Clearly, I acted wrongly, I am working on myself and I am seeing a coach to change."
Other former employees of Bistrots Pas Parisiens then testified in turn and denounced behaviors they considered humiliating as well as a particularly difficult working environment.
Arnaud Delvenne had announced he was stepping back
Just a few days after his release from police custody, but before this case was made public, Arnaud Delvenne had announced on September 3 that he wanted to take a step back.
On Instagram , the chef explained that he wanted to focus on his private life and health and announced his temporary withdrawal from cooking. He said he wanted to leave his "knives in [his] case for a while ." His Instagram account was subsequently deactivated.
From Top Chef to legal affairs
Originally from Liège, Arnaud Delvenne became known to the French public by participating in season 13 of Top Chef , broadcast on M6 in 2022. He reached the final against Louise Bourrat.
This detention places the chef at the center of a second case in just a few weeks. It also comes at a time when several high-profile chefs have faced accusations of violence. In early August, Jean Imbert's detention was extended before he was transferred to court after 36 hours of questioning.
