Protective order issued against ‘Top Chef’ star Eric Adjepong on behalf of his 7-year-old child.
A protective order was issued against Eric Adjepong, a prominent culinary figure known for his participation in “Top Chef,” following allegations of abuse involving his 7-year-old daughter, Lennox. The order, enforced by a Maryland judge, prohibits Adjepong from contacting his daughter and her mother, Janell Davis-Mack, until July 10, 2027. Although he has not been formally charged with any crime, the judge found a “preponderance of the evidence” supporting claims of physical abuse.
Reports indicate that prior to the protective order involving his daughter, Adjepong allegedly violated a restraining order held by Davis-Mack. This incident occurred in January 2025, mere days after she obtained a temporary protective order citing domestic violence. The order specifically prohibited Adjepong from communication through any means, which ultimately led to a court hearing. However, this violation was dismissed, attributed to a misunderstanding involving the use of the OurFamilyWizard app, a court-mandated platform for communication between divorced parents.
Adjepong, who grew up in Yonkers and currently resides in Washington, D.C., is required to complete parenting classes and participate in reunification therapy before he can be alone with Lennox again. Meanwhile, a police investigation conducted by the D.C. Youth Investigations Branch has not yielded sufficient evidence to support claims of sexual abuse.
Despite the serious nature of these allegations, Adjepong maintains that he has not acted inappropriately or harmed his daughter in any way. A lawyer representing Davis-Mack expressed support for the protective order, noting that it reflects the courage of Lennox in speaking out against her father.
The custody arrangement between Adjepong and Davis-Mack has seen significant evolution since their divorce was finalized in August 2022. Following modifications to the agreement, Davis-Mack sought to change the custody terms after an incident in November 2024, where Adjepong was reportedly stopped for speeding. All charges related to this incident were eventually dropped.
In light of the allegations and ongoing legal matters, Save the Children, an organization with which Adjepong was once affiliated as an ambassador, has expressed deep concern and has paused all associations with him indefinitely.
As a culinary entrepreneur, Adjepong’s contributions include the contemporary Ghanaian restaurant, Elmina, and various appearances on culinary competitions such as “Chopped” and “Beat Bobby Flay.” He is also credited as a co-author of the cookbook “Ghana to the World.” The unfolding situation continues to attract public attention, raising questions about domestic abuse, child welfare, and the complexities surrounding custody arrangements.
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