Boston-Area Teamsters to Padma Lakshmi: “We’re Gonna Bash That Pretty Face in, You F---ing Whore!”

While filming in Boston, the crew of "Top Chef" was subjected to graphic insults and slashed tires by local Teamsters

Image via momtastic.com

Memo to anyone potentially filming anything in Boston: do not, under any circumstances, hire non-Union workers. It will not go well.

Top Chef did not follow this rule, and the fallout was like something out of a bad movie. Filming the newest season of the show in the Boston-area suburb of Milton, the crew was met with protests from Boston’s Teamsters Local 25, who objected to the show’s decision to fly in their own PA crew rather than hire local workers.

Of course, the right to protest is protected by the constitution and must be respected. However, things quickly got out of hand.

Among the numerous things the Teamsters did that were confirmed by both witnesses and Milton Deputy Police Chief John King:


  • One picketer ran up to host Padma Lakshmi’s car as she was pulling in and screamed in the window “We’re gonna bash that pretty face in, you fucking whore!”

  • A group slashed the tires of 14 different crew members’ cars

  • They busted into the hospitality tent to further harass the crew after they were moved from the front of the restaurant by police

  • Teamsters hurled racist, sexist, and homophobic insults at every crew member who walked into the restaurant in which they were filming

Somehow, despite all the hubbub, there were no injuries or arrests. Plus, Padma got to keep her face. So it’s a win-win?

The show premieres October 15, and with this added wrinkle one kind of has to hope that they show some of the footage of the insane scene unfolding outside.

[via Deadline]

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