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Celebrity Justice
Famed Chef Spike -- Done in by Underlings

Posted May 23rd 2009 11:35AM by TMZ Staff

The Washington D.C. chef Michelle Obama seems to adore has just figured out the double meaning of sous chef.

Spike Mendelsohn: Click to watch
Famed D.C. chef Spike Mendelsohn -- a former "Top Chef" contestant and owner of Good Stuff Eatery -- got smack in the middle of an apartment eviction today -- and two of his sous chefs are to blame.

Here's what we know: Approximately two years ago, Spike and the two chefs rented an apartment in D.C. together, and Spike signed the lease. Eight months ago, Spike moved out to live with his GF, but his name remained on the lease.

Fast forward a few months -- the two chefs stopped paying rent. This morning the marshals came callin', unlocked the door and threw them out. We're assuming the marshals did this after the landlord won an eviction case.

Problem is, Spike is on the lease -- which means he's on the hook for the back rent which is approximately $8,000.

A rep for Spike tells us he knew nothing about the case until we called today. The rep says the two chefs admitted to Spike this evening they fell "a few months behind" in rent, but didn't tell him until now.

Now here's the best part: The two chefs are working behind the grill at the restaurant tonight. We advise they just jump on it.

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Tags: good eats, GoodEats, spike mendelsohn, SpikeMendelsohn, top chef, TopChef, video

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1. Those guys should have asked for a raise!

Posted at 9:16PM on May 22nd 2009 by jackschitt

2. FIRST AGAIN SUCKER!!!

Posted at 9:17PM on May 22nd 2009 by toofastforyou!

3. BORING

Posted at 10:25PM on May 22nd 2009 by The world is going to hell.

4. that's gentleman done?

Posted at 10:29PM on May 22nd 2009 by .

5. 'We advise they just jump on it.' Wow. I thought Leno was lame.

Posted at 9:57PM on May 22nd 2009 by Winsome Davis III

6. 深圳厂房

Posted at 10:10PM on May 22nd 2009 by 深圳厂房

7. THE CHEF MICHELLE OBAMA IS PRESIDENT OBAMA`S UNCLE ?

Posted at 11:24PM on May 22nd 2009 by J.J.

8. Harvey will print anything with Obama in it. Wolf Blitzer, Harvey and Obama. Love triangle.

Posted at 11:37PM on May 22nd 2009 by The world is going to hell.

9. That's why you need to get a contract and a lawyer. Once he left, a new contract or lease was needed to be drawn up or he is responsible for the one that was originally drawn up. If you have any financial venture, it has to be clearly defined BEFORE you sign the contract.

Posted at 1:13AM on May 23rd 2009 by Linda Mott

10. Excuse me, but HOW did they evict ANYONE without first serving the person listed on the lease?

Posted at 3:25AM on May 23rd 2009 by TexNess

11. If they still thought he was living at the residence they would have first posted a notice. His sous chefs are @-holes. I also wonder who they did serve?

Posted at 12:31PM on May 23rd 2009 by Hoagie Honker

12. I know Spike very well and have some idea as to what happened. In general, Spike has a great heart,is a truly talented chef,but sometimes, he places too much trust in people around him. In this case, I think, he just let these guys (morans) continue to live in the apartment, while he forgot (carelessly) to take his own name off of the lease. i feel badly for the Landlord . I can't imagine that they won't be compensated promptly.

Posted at 4:19PM on May 23rd 2009 by EJ

13. Looks to me the Chef let himself be done in by not watching over his own business affairs,

When you have your name on a document just because you walk away doesn't mean your responsibility and obligations walk too.
Has nothing to do with trusting to much has to do with responsibility and looking out for yourself and family, lesson learned and I believe he got off cheap.

Posted at 10:37PM on May 23rd 2009 by Seven