n Philadelphia’s restaurant scene, a heated kitchen moment is one thing. An alleged physical altercation that lands a chef in court? That’s an entirely different recipe.
Christopher Kearse, the acclaimed chef behind Forsythia in Old City, is facing charges of simple assault and harassment after a former restaurant manager accused him of physically confronting him during a July incident, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
A trial is scheduled for Friday, October 23, in Philadelphia Municipal Court, court records cited by the newspaper show.
What allegedly happened at Forsythia?
According to the former manager, the confrontation occurred on July 25, after he was fired following a shouting match with Kearse in the restaurant’s basement office. The former employee alleged that when he tried to return to retrieve his laptop, Kearse blocked his way, stuck out a leg, grabbed him and threw him.
Kearse acknowledged that an altercation occurred but disputed the allegations of wrongdoing. His attorney, Andrew Levin, characterized the encounter as a “tussle,” saying Kearse was trying to prevent the former employee from returning to the basement because he was concerned about his wife, who was working there.
The former manager says he suffered a torn rotator cuff and has undergone physical therapy, with doctors recommending surgery. Three former Forsythia employees who reportedly witnessed the incident supported aspects of his account, according to the Inquirer. They spoke anonymously.
A difficult moment for the restaurant
Kearse opened Forsythia in 2019, building a reputation around contemporary French cuisine. He also launched Known Associates, a cocktail bar, in June 2026.
The legal dispute now puts the chef’s workplace conduct under scrutiny, raising questions about what happened behind the scenes at one of Philadelphia’s better-known dining destinations.
For now, the allegations remain allegations. Kearse has denied wrongdoing, and the charges have not established guilt. The scheduled court proceedings are expected to bring the dispute into sharper focus.
In a business built on precision, reputation and teamwork, this is one story that won’t be settled by what’s on the menu.
