Chef apologizes for table-top antics of television host at Strip restaurant

Adrienne Packer

Wednesday, Aug. 4, 1999 | 11:35 a.m.

As a distinguished chef who owns six restaurants nationwide and hosts a popular cooking show, presentation is everything for Emeril Lagasse.

But perhaps none of Lagasse's presentations have been as vital as the one he delivered Tuesday to the Clark County Commission in front of a crowd seated inside the board's chambers.

Lagasse publicly apologized for the first time since reports surfaced about "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" host Robin Leach engaging in lewd acts with female companions atop a table in Legasse's new Delmonico's Steakhouse.

Lagasse said he was personally humiliated and embarrassed by Leach's behavior at the Venetian hotel-casino restaurant May 31.

"How do you think I feel?" asked Lagasse, who has taken heat for the behavior even though he was not a witness.

"In my 25-plus years in this business, I have worked hard as a chef and business owner. I have never ever seen or had anything happen with such unexpected behavior."

The commission agreed to issue an "administrative reprimand" to Delmonico's, forcing the restaurant to ensure that a manager is at the business at all times and that employees continue to work with a crisis management team for two years.

If any further similar acts occur without management immediately intervening, the county will forward the case to the district attorney's office.

Delmonico's employees were included in the county's business licensing department's investigation because they witnessed and even encouraged the sexual acts that May evening.

According to a county report, Leach and about five females ate in Delmonico's private dining room called the Kitchen Table. The small room that seats eight overlooks the kitchen so guests can watch dishes being prepared. Two other windows look out onto the restaurant.

Following dinner, several of the women began peeling off their clothes and one woman stretched out naked on the table while, according to earlier newspaper reports, whipped cream and chocolate were spread across her body.

The acts continued for more than an hour until Leach, a consultant with the Venetian who has since been banned from Lagasse's restaurant, was asked to leave.

Lagasse, who hosts a culinary show that is popular with children, said he has worked for years to earn a reputation as not only a refined chef but as someone who contributes to the community and supports local farmers and ranchers.

"This has been a very difficult and trying time for me and my staff," Lagasse said in asking the commission's forgiveness.

While Delmonico's was found in violation of county codes, no wrongdoing was found on the part of the Venetian. Venetian owner Sheldon Adelson was dining in the restaurant at the same time as Leach, but he was in a separate room and could not see the activities, said Ardel Jorgenson, the county's business licensing director.

"This was spontaneous, unexpected, and it was not planned," Jorgenson said. "Sheldon Adelson had no knowledge of this lewd act."

Clark County commissioners, who could have asked for a hearing to determine whether to take formal disciplinary and perhaps revoke the restaurant's liquor license, were sympathetic to Lagasse's situation.

Board members Lance Malone and Erin Kenny both said employees might not have known what to do because of Leach's celebrity status.

"Someone famous is on the premises, and they don't know what to do," Malone said of the restaurant employees. "If they stop it, they might have been worried about losing their jobs."

Kenny said of everyone involved in the events, she was most disappointed in Leach. Leach never apologized publicly or wrote a letter apologizing but instead left Lagasse to absorb all the blame.

"Mr. Leach is the one who let everybody down," Kenny said. "The person who is most responsible isn't even here today. He never stepped forward and said he was wrong."

Leach has said reports of what happened in Delmonico's were exaggerated by the media and that it was nothing more than a food fight.