Three Former Semma Hosts Sue Unapologetic Foods

Three former hosts at Semma, New York City's only Michelin-starred Indian restaurant, have filed sexual harassment lawsuits against the restaurant's operating group. The lawsuits were filed on July 27, 2026, in U.S. District Court against Unapologetic Foods and Mix Management, the LLC that operates the acclaimed West Village restaurant.

Tessa Tookes, Charlotte Swett, and Nina Zhuo allege a pattern of misconduct involving Santo Pesantez, who was the director of operations for Unapologetic Foods and served as an interim manager at Semma. The complaints detail sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and a hostile work environment. A spokesperson for Unapologetic Foods told Eater that Pesantez was fired earlier this year after the women reported him. The company denies the allegations.

Details of the Allegations

The lawsuits contain specific accounts from each plaintiff. Tessa Tookes alleges that Pesantez began pursuing her during her hiring process. Her complaint states that after her interview, he took her to dinner, encouraged her to drink, introduced sexual topics, and kissed her cheek without consent. She also alleges he ordered her an Uber home that initially headed toward his own neighborhood.

Charlotte Swett's lawsuit alleges Pesantez pressured her to go drinking after work, brought her to a strip club, made sexual comments, and engaged in unwanted physical contact. She claims that after reporting his behavior, he interfered with her promotion efforts. Nina Zhuo alleges Pesantez made repeated comments about her appearance, weight, and age, and engaged in unwanted physical contact. Her complaint also cites racially charged conversations involving stereotypes about Asian women.

Security Camera and Customer Data Claims

A separate set of allegations involves the restaurant group's security systems and customer information. The complaints state Pesantez used security-camera feeds to watch women he found attractive. Zhuo's complaint includes a specific incident where, while actress Kate Hudson was dining at sister restaurant Adda, Pesantez allegedly approached Zhuo and Tookes at Semma's host stand and showed them live security footage of Hudson's table on his phone.

The lawsuits further allege Pesantez used restaurant reservation information to track certain customers and identify when they planned to return. Hudson is not involved in the litigation, and the complaints do not suggest she was aware she was allegedly being watched.

Reporting and Response

According to the complaints, all three women submitted written reports about Pesantez to human resources on January 22, 2026. Swett's complaint alleges she reported an incident from June 2024 much earlier, telling two server captains and Semma's then-general manager shortly after it happened. She claims they told her Pesantez had behaved similarly with a previous host and that no action was taken.

The case has gained public attention after a TikTok video was posted by Joey Kirchner, who is married to Tessa Tookes. In the video, Kirchner discusses the unresolved lawsuit and what he sees as a larger problem with sexual harassment in restaurants. Unapologetic Foods has until Monday, September 28, to file its formal response to the lawsuits in court.