“Top Chef” Judge Tom Colicchio Sued for Wage Payment Violations

Tom Colicchio’s ‘Wichcraft sandwich restaurants have been hit with a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court, claiming that the restaurants failed to pay minimum wage and overtime pay, and misappropriated workers’ tips. Attorneys representing a group of baristas, bartenders, porters, delivery persons, cooks, food preparers, hosts, and cashiers, claim that ‘Wichcraft failed to pay employees the proper overtime premiums at the rate of one and one half times the regular rate for work in excess of forty hours per workweek, as required both by the Federal Labor Standard Act and New York Labor Law. The attorneys also claim that ‘Wichcraft paid employees at an invalid “tip credit” minimum wage and did not provide employees a tip credit notice, as required by State law. According to the lawsuit, ‘Wichcraft illegally retained gratuities, improperly deducted meal allowances, and made employees pay for their uniform maintenance. The wage theft lawsuit against ‘Wichcraft seeks compensation for unpaid wages, liquidated damages and attorneys’ fees and costs.