Aside from maintaining a Michelin star for Localis since 2022, Barnum-Dann also received recognition<\/a> as Michelin\u2019s California 2025 Sommelier Award winner.<\/p>\n In March, a post on the Reddit r\/MichelinStars subreddit<\/a> urged locals to avoid his establishments due to \u201ccountless allegations of female staff members leaving \u2026 because of sexual harassment.\u201d<\/p>\n The content of that post was mirrored onto the r\/Sacramento subreddit and subsequently on Instagram by another user<\/a> to further spread the word. Barnum-Dann responded to the allegations publicly on Instagram in a post with the comments turned off<\/a>.<\/p>\n Hundreds of comments from users ensued on both platforms speaking out about the chef\u2019s behavior during times when they were employed at both restaurants. The allegations went beyond sexual harassment to include patterns of belittlement, paranoia and wage theft \u2014 spanning from the restaurant\u2019s opening in 2015 to last year.<\/p>\n In a statement to The Sacramento Bee, chef Barnum-Dann acknowledged the post<\/a> and the actions in question and calling them \u201cbaseless\u201d and noting, from his perspective, \u201cthey stem from events that allegedly occurred between 2018 to 2020.\u201d<\/p>\n Barnum-Dann expressed contrition for causing harm to any employees, past or present. He said in the statement he \u201ccare(s) deeply for those who work at (the) restaurants and (has) always tried to create supportive, respectful environments.\u201d<\/p>\n He also said Localis pays its employees \u201cabout 35% more than industry standards.\u201d<\/p>\n Barnum-Dann also acknowledged a compensation dispute at Betty, in which a tipping policy affected \u201ccertain supervisory employees that may not have fully aligned with applicable wage and hour guidance.\u201d<\/p>\n He said he has taken proactive steps, including \u201cissuing payments to employees we identified as potentially affected.\u201d The issue was brought before the Labor Commissioner\u2019s Office. Barnum-Dann said he is cooperating fully in that process.<\/p>\n While many were eager to speak out, few were willing to go on the record by name. This is true both for those criticizing and supporting Barnum-Dann.<\/p>\n In light of the controversy, a handful of employees at Betty took it upon themselves to issue a statement<\/a> of their own, distancing themselves from Barnum-Dann, who took over the wine bar in 2024.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are disappointed to learn about the news, and frankly, we are not interested in defending him, or offering an opposing opinion to anyone\u2019s experience,\u201d the staff said in a statement. \u201cWe don\u2019t care to speak on Chef Chris, because to us, he\u2019s not Betty.\u201d<\/p>\n Stories of harassment are not uncommon in professional kitchens. This incident comes shortly on the tail of recent accusations of physical and emotional abuse<\/a> against Rene Redzepi of Noma, the world\u2019s top-rated restaurant.<\/p>\n This is a developing story; check back with sacbee.com<\/a> for updates.<\/p>\n This story was originally published April 11, 2026 at 8:15 PM.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n Owner Chris Barnum-Dann, left, works with his kitchen staff to prepare for Localis\u2019 return of brunch service at their restaurant in Sacramento on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. He is at the center of controversy over accusations of sexual harassment, belittlement and wage theft. HANNAH RUHOFF hruhoff@sacbee.com <\/p>\n
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