TV Chef Loses Job Over Resume Claims

Food Network Fan · 02-29-2008, 08:19 PM

WGAL 8 Susquehanna Valley - 27 minutes ago
New York -- Robert Irvine, host of the popular Food Network series "Dinner Impossible," has lost his job following allegations that he padded his resume.Irvine had claimed that he helped design Princess Diana's wedding cake, worked at the White House and graduated from the University of Leeds. But an article was published in the St. Petersburg Times last week that cast doubt on his claims.On Friday, the Food Network announced they were not renewing his contract with the show, and released the following statement:
"We looked into the situation and found that, as Robert has already admitted, there were some embellishments and inaccuracies in his resume. The few and minor incidents of the inclusion of these embellishments into 'Dinner Impossible' have been removed.The show is, and has always been, completely accurate in the depiction of the cooking challenges faced by Robert. We will continue airing both old shows and the new season of programs currently in production. We have not renewed Robert's contract for future seasons but will fulfill our contractual obligations. We rely on the trust that our viewers have in the accuracy of the information we present, and Robert challenged that trust.
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Food Network Fan · 02-29-2008, 08:20 PM

I feel betrayed.

I really liked him and his show. Now one of my favorite shows will be gone. One of the few night time series I really liked.

MayQueen · 02-29-2008, 11:19 PM

I did like him and his show too. I watched it every week. I don't think FN had any other choice than to fire him though. I wonder what his publisher will do now. Maybe we'll enjoy the new chef taking over the show just as much.

Food Network Fan · 02-29-2008, 11:47 PM

True, and it's a shame. I would have liked him with his real resume just as well.

Callisto in NC · 02-29-2008, 11:58 PM

That bites. I really liked him and don't care if he embellished his resume, the show was good and it was about what he was doing, not what he's done in the past.

isilzha · 03-01-2008, 01:49 AM

Maybe they'll wait for the heat to die down and then he can come back, like Dog the Bounty Hunter.

BerryBaby · 03-01-2008, 12:23 PM

There have been many comebacks over the years after something like this. I'm thinking in time, he will be back and even stronger.

cyberdoc · 03-01-2008, 01:13 PM

Yes, this is very disappointing. I did see in one article that FN said they may revisit the decision. Hopefully, if Robert stays out of trouble, and the show stays popular, they'll cut him some slack.

Food Network Fan · 03-01-2008, 01:26 PM

Maybe he will make some grand gesture to redeem himself, start some sort of charity or something. It would be nice to have him do some sort of statement to his fans on the show.

Jane0929 · 03-01-2008, 08:11 PM

I'm going to e-mail the FN and tell them I think they are every bit as responsible as he is. My guess is they will get a lot of mail in support of Robert, but with the press swarming all over this story, there is not much else that they can do. Granted, he was totally wrong in lying (and that's what it is) but the network has a responsibility to veryify the claims of the people they hire. I am very disappointed. I really like the show, and I hope they will reconsider. Why would anyone with his talent feel that he had to lie so blatantly about almost every aspect of his career?? I guess to me, that's the most puzzling part of all of it.