‘Top Chef’ star banned from being alone with daughter after abuse finding

A judge has issued a year-long protective order against celebrity chef Eric Adjepong, citing evidence that he abused his 7-year-old daughter, Lennnox. 
On July 10, a Maryland judge ruled that “there is a preponderance of the evidence to believe” the chef and TV host physically abused his daughter Lennox, whom he shares with his ex Janelle Davis-Mack, according to the Washington Post. 
This led to a protective order that currently prohibits him from contacting the child without supervision. The order reportedly prohibits the 38-year-old from contacting, harassing, abusing or threatening to abuse his daughter or estranged spouse. 
The outlet claimed that the order, which runs through July 10, 2027, states Adjepong may still see Lennox, but the visits must be supervised. 
The Ghanaian-American chef, TV host, and cookbook author must complete parenting classes and reunification therapy before he can have unsupervised contact with his daughter. 
Adjepong denies any wrongdoing. 
In a statement to The Washington Post, Adjepong noted, “Because this matter involves my young daughter, whom I love deeply, I intend to protect her privacy and will not discuss the underlying allegations or other sensitive family matters publicly other than to say that these allegations arose in the context of a long-running divorce and custody proceeding, which finally concluded on 2 June, 2026.” 
Adjepong rose to fame as a finalist on Top Chef: Kentucky and Top Chef All-Stars before going on to host Food Network programmes including Alex vs. America and Wildcard Kitchen.