1-Year Prison Sentence Demanded for Selling 'Ant Dessert', Who Is the Chef? - A Comprehensive Summary of the Controversy!

Chef Joseph Lidgewood of the Michelin 2-star restaurant Evitt has been sentenced to one year in prison by prosecutors for selling desserts made with inedible ants. A complete summary, including the controversy over the detection of heavy metals at 55 times the normal limit!

 

The chef who became known through Netflix's 'The Black and White Chef' was the signature. Ant Dessert As a result, it was eventually referred to trial, and on the 20th The prosecution demanded a one-year prison sentence. Did you hear the news? I'll neatly summarize the facts for you on exactly what happened ✨

 

 

1. Who exactly is the Ant Dessert Chef?

 

The place at the center of the controversy is a fine dining restaurant located on Dosan-daero in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Evett It is. The Executive Chef is from Tasmania, Australia. Joseph Lidgerwood I'm a chef.

 

• Business Name : Evett
• location : Area around Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
• Executive Chef : Joseph Lizerwood (from Australia)
• Michelin rating : 2-Star (1-Star in 2019 → Recently promoted to 2-Star)
• Key Experience Netflix 'Black & White Chef' Unemployed Appearance

 

He was famous for being sincere about researching Korean ingredients, and as his public recognition skyrocketed after appearing on TV, the ant dessert he used to sell came back into the spotlight.

 

 

2. Why is it illegal? The key is 'inedible insects'

 

Under Korea's Food Sanitation Act, there are only 10 species of insects permitted for consumption, including grasshoppers, silkworm pupae, and mealworm larvae. Ants are not included in this list, so Using it in cooking itself is illegal They say it's called that 😱

Furthermore, according to the health authorities' component analysis results, the ants in question... compared to common legal edible insects Heavy metals detected at levels up to 55 times higher Since they say it happened... it has escalated from a simple hygiene issue into a health issue as well.

 

• period : April 2021 ~ January 2025 (approx. 4 years)
• Used ants : Approximately 40,996 animals
• Number of sales : Approximately 12,200–12,274 times
• Estimated sales : Approximately 120 million won
• Detection Issue : Up to 55 times higher levels of heavy metals compared to legal edible insects

 

3. "Collected directly from Mt. Jirisan" → Turns out to be imported from overseas?

 

This is exactly the point that angered people the most in this incident. The store side has been... "Wild ants personally collected by the chef from domestic mountains such as Seoraksan and Jirisan," the guide stated. They say they've been doing it. They really emphasized a natural image.

 

But the actual investigation results were the exact opposite. According to the prosecution's indictment, the ants are products imported in a dried state from Thailand and the United States. That is what happened. There is even criticism that they were conscious of the fact that the punishment would be lighter than for unauthorized harvesting in domestic mountains.

 

 

4. What are the prosecution's sentencing recommendation and the defense's position?

 

At the trial held on July 20th at the 8th Criminal Division of the Seoul Western District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Se-chang) The prosecution demanded a one-year prison sentence for CEO A (Joseph Chef) and a fine of 20 million won for the operating corporation. i did it.

 

While the defense acknowledged most of the charges themselves, We allowed customers to choose whether or not to have the ant topping in advance, and about 60% of customers actually received it. They reportedly refuted it, claiming the sales figures were exaggerated. Also "We had already received a Michelin 1-star rating in 2019, before the introduction of the Gaemi menu, and obtained a 2-star rating after discontinuing the use of Gaemi, so it did not have a decisive impact on sales." They also claimed that.

 

In his final statement, Mr. A "Oversight due to insufficient awareness of domestic regulations" He reportedly expressed remorse and appealed for leniency.

 

 

5. When is the first trial verdict? What is the outlook?

 

The sentencing date for the first trial is scheduled for September 2 at 2:00 PM. It is set up that way. As of now, there have been no administrative sanctions such as an immediate business suspension, but The prediction is that its survival will depend on the ruling and whether the Michelin Guide revokes its stars. This is coming out.

I think this ruling will serve as an important standard for the industry regarding the boundary between experimental fine dining and domestic food safety regulations.

 

 

💡 Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

 

Q. Who is the Ant Dessert Chef?

A. I am Joseph Ledgerwood (from Australia), Executive Chef of the Michelin 2-star restaurant 'Evitt' in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. I appeared as a white-collar worker in the Netflix series 'The Black and White Chef'.

 

Q. Why is it illegal to use ants in cooking?

A. Under the domestic Food Sanitation Act, insects permitted for consumption are limited to 10 species, including grasshoppers and pupae, and ants are not included, so their cooking and sale are prohibited.

 

Q. Is Evit still in operation?

A. The case has been filed with the prosecution and is currently on trial, and the ant dessert menu in question has been discontinued. The first trial verdict is scheduled for September 2.

 

Q. What is the sentence requested by the prosecution?

A. The prosecution sought a one-year prison sentence for CEO Chef Joseph Lizerwood and a fine of 20 million won for the operating corporation.

 

 

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