Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Amy's Baking Company Plans To Reopen, Hires Publicist To Tell Their Side Of Epic Meltdown
If you thought restaurant owners Samy and Amy Bouzaglo were going to pack it up after being humiliated on Gordon Ramsay's TV show "Kitchen Nightmares" and, well, the internet, clearly you haven't been paying attention. The Bouzaglos do not seem to be the types who admit they've lost control or exercise any kind of restraint.
The owners announced that they are planning to re-open their beleaguered Scottsdale restaurant on Tuesday in a press release that really comes out swinging. The couple has also hired a publicist known in Arizona for being called in to do serious damage control, which seems like the smartest thing the couple has done so far. The announcement starts out this way:
Amy's Baking Company will host a Grand Re-Opening on Tuesday night, May 21, following unflattering portrayals on national television. Customers will be able to decide who is correct: a famous celebrity chef or the marketplace that has supported the small, locally-owned business for six years.
When re-opened, a portion of proceeds will benefit a charity organized to bring awareness to cyber bullying.
That last line is important: it sounds like the couple plans to stick to their line that their social media accounts were hacked, and they are the victims of cyberbullying.In the release, the owners deny allegations that they treat their staff poorly and confiscate their tips: "The owners will likely be holding a press conference before the Grand Re-Opening and answer falsehoods depicted on a reality television show, including assertions that the restaurant confiscates tips from servers. In fact, wait staff is paid $8-$14 per hour, two and half to nearly five times the standard hourly wage for servers."
A Change.org petition with over 23,000 signatures asking that the Department of Labor investigate the way the company pays its workers: "Amy's Baking Company (ABC) in Scottsdale, AZ, has come out publicly that their policy is to confiscate every single penny earned through tipping patrons, without informing customers, and instead, only pay their servers an hourly wage."
One unexpected twist is that for whatever reason, the company has invited Phoenix civil rights activist Rev. Jarrett Maupin to come along for the presser:
Repsect 2 The Yard, Maya but '13 eatery event 2 be Grand Re-opening of Amy's Bakery Co. Tuesday. @ReverendMaupin 2 emcee presser before
— Jason Rose PR (@jasonrosepr) May 16, 2013
Sponsored message
Rev. Maupin says the Lord works in mysterious ways:
#amysbakingcompany Tuesday #Scottsdale #TheLordWorksInMysteriousWays #AZ http://t.co/wCaU4GbRm2
— Rev. Jarrett Barton Maupin, Jr. (@ReverendMaupin) May 17, 2013
Okaaaaaaaay.We're curious to see what happens next since the couple doesn't quite know when it's time to stop talking.
Related:
Waitress Fired From Amy's Baking Company Explains What Happened Behind The Scenes Of Epic TV Meltdown
Owners of Amy's Baking Company, Restaurant Featured on 'Kitchen Nightmares,' Show How Not to Use The Internet
Video: Amy's Baking Company Owners Explain Their Crazy With More Crazy on Local News
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
