By Madeline Halpert
BBC News, New York
One of Boston's most famous chefs is denying accusations from former employees that she was physically and emotionally abusive.
In separate investigations by the New York Times and the Boston Globe, several staff accused Barbara Lynch of alcohol-fuelled verbal aggressions.
Ms Lynch is a nationally renowned chef who oversees several acclaimed restaurants in Boston.
In a statement to the Times, she called the allegations "fantastical".
"I expressly reject the various false accusations lodged against me that I have behaved inappropriately with employees or crossed professional guideposts that are important to me," she said.
Ms Lynch said she makes "personnel decisions that may rankle those who don't measure up or don't want to commit to true teamwork and service; perhaps some I should have removed sooner".
She added she was "committed to taking responsibility and working on myself" while alleging the accusations were "designed to 'take me down'".
The BBC has reached out to Ms Lynch for comment.
The two newspapers reported that Ms Lynch brought staff together last month at one of her restaurants, Menton, following the deaths of two employees, executive chef Rye Crofter and a line cook. Both died of drug overdoses.
The outlets each obtained a recording of the meeting, during which staff said Ms Lynch drunkenly yelled at employees and got into a confrontation with the restaurant's new head chef, who alleged Ms Lynch had not come to the...
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