Domestic violence: Jean Imbert's custody extended by 24 hours

Chef Jean Imbert remains in the hands of investigators. Placed in police custody on Monday in Paris as part of an investigation into allegations of domestic violence, the former winner of Top chef This measure was extended by 24 hours on Tuesday, August 4th. His hearing can now continue until Wednesday morning.

The chief remains facing investigators

This extension will allow police to continue questioning and examine the evidence in the case file. Jean Imbert is being questioned in connection with several proceedings related to complaints filed by three of his former partners, who accuse him of physical and psychological abuse. The chef's custody began Monday morning. He had been summoned before being placed under this procedure, which allows investigators to detain a person suspected of committing an offense in order to question them and carry out the necessary checks. The decision to extend the measure means that the investigations and questioning were not completed after the initial 24 hours.

Three former partners have filed a complaint.

Among the plaintiffs is Alexandra Rosenfeld, Miss France 2006, who was in a relationship with Jean Imbert between 2013 and 2014. She accuses him of physical and psychological abuse and claims, in particular, that he broke her nose in October 2013 during the filming of a show broadcast on M6. She filed her complaint in March 2026. Former actress Lila Salet has also filed a lawsuit. She accuses Jean Imbert of domestic violence and false imprisonment for alleged incidents that occurred between 2012 and 2013, when they were a couple. Her complaint, filed in August 2025, led to an investigation by the Versailles prosecutor's office. A third former partner has also filed a complaint. Her identity has not been made public. Investigators are now seeking to verify the various accounts, compare the statements, and analyze the documents collected during the investigation.

Jean Imbert firmly denies the accusations

Jean Imbert denies the violence he is accused of. His lawyers, Jacqueline Laffont and Julie Benedetti, stated that he presented himself to investigators with several documents intended to support his version of events. They specified that he had brought "numerous documents, pieces" and that he "Answers all the investigators' questions"The defense believes that the evidence presented allows them to challenge the accusations made by his former partners.

A case with serious professional consequences

Revealed to the general public by his victory in season 3 of Top chef In 2012, Jean Imbert had become one of the most high-profile French chefs. He took over as head chef at the Plaza Athénée in 2021 and developed several establishments in France and abroad. After the first accusations were made public in 2025, the chef announced his temporary withdrawal from his restaurants. He subsequently lost his managerial and executive positions at the Plaza Athénée, where he has not served as head chef since April 2026.

A decision is expected on Wednesday.

At the end of this new 24-hour period, Jean Imbert may be released or face a further judicial decision. The authorities will have to determine how to proceed with the various complaints and the evidence gathered during his detention.