“My father might be jealous if I have lobster and he doesn’t”: how Bernard Arnault allegedly forced the Dior cook to work illegally for his family for ten years

With a fortune estimated at nearly 179 billion euros, Bernard Arnault would have ample means to remunerate a personal chef within the rules. However, this is not the case: according to information from Chained duckFrance’s first fortune would have taken advantage of its control over the haute couture brand Dior, integrated into the luxury giant LVMH, to hire an employee for ten years.

Officially employed by the fashion designer, the cook in question, named Christophe H., would have worked – without pay slip or employment contract – for the Arnault family, even if it meant working more than a hundred hours a week. Problem for the billionaire and his relatives, the employee in question filed a complaint against his former employers. At issue: his dismissal, at the start of 2024, for having “ordered more than 20,000 euros worth of food for his benefit”. Accusation rejected by the principal concerned, whose lawyer points out that no tangible proof has been published by LVMH.

“At 4:30 p.m., and until 9:30 p.m., he returns to the boss’s house for dinner”

Bernard Arnault is therefore expected in court again, on April 15, before the Paris industrial tribunal. Yet another disappointment for the businessman, whose multiple escapades continue to be brought to light, from his supposed role in the “Squarcini affair”, including the revelations of Mediapart at his request, to the ministry of the Economy, so that his personal tax file is classified as “defense secret”.

It all started in June 2014, when the cook carried out a test in Bernard Arnault’s home. First conclusive, from which Christophe H. emerges hired as a “full-time” cook for Dior. However, he had to multiply orders from the Arnault family for almost a decade. “If, from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., he prepares breakfasts and lunches for Dior management, he then goes to the Arnault family until 1:30 p.m. to provide lunch… and returns to Dior. At 4:30 p.m., and until 9:30 p.m., he returns to the boss’s house for dinner.sums up the weekly the chained duck.

Accompanied by private messages and photo archives, Christophe H.’s complaint reveals the habits of the Arnault family, who do not hesitate to multiply the most eccentric requests. The Chained Duckwho had access to the file, tells us, for example, that a poster was made to remind the cook of the preferences of each member.

“One person loves caviar – often on the menu – and another person hates it, while a third person loves lobster or a fourth person loathes red meat”lists the satirical newspaper. One of the billionaire’s sons, Alexandre, for example, asked Christophe H., before a family dinner, for the menu planned for his father (wild sea bass carpaccio, caviar and scallops). The reason? Fear of a diplomatic incident : “My father might be jealous if I have lobster and he doesn’t. »

Above all, the Arnault clan took advantage of its employee during meetings with the highest levels of the State, from the presidential couple, Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron, to the ex-tenant of Bercy, Bruno le Maire; but also celebrities, like the tennis player Roger Federer or the actress Isabelle Adjani.

This is why Christophe H. is demanding that his “concealed work” be recognized by the industrial tribunal. By filing a complaint, the cook hopes that the Arnault family will reimburse him for all of his unpaid work hours, such as the many days of rest that he had to give up – he was only entitled to one weekend. end per month and only a few weeks off, when Bernard Arnault and his loved ones went on vacation.