Employee (23) files a complaint against Hof van Cleve chef Floris Van Der Veken (Zingem)

A 23-year-old employee of the famous Hof van Cleve restaurant in Kruisem accuses star chef Floris Van Der Veken of aggression. The Deinze police have opened an investigation, writes 'Het Laatste Nieuws'.

Helena De Maertelaere, a 23-year-old woman who had been working in the hall of the famous star shop for three years, told the police that Van Der Veken pushed her over with full force at a party in mid-November and that she fell on the back of her head. She is said to have suffered an abrasion to the head, as well as some bruising on her arms. After the fall, she also suffered from nausea and headaches. The woman has been declared unfit for work by her GP since November 18. “Instead of saying sorry, Floris said that I am worthless,” the woman testifies The Latest News.

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According to the woman, she also had an “on-off relationship” with Van Der Veken for two years. “We were never officially a couple, because he had to keep it a secret from the outside world,” it said. At the party in question, the chef allegedly showed up with another woman, after which a skirmish between Van Der Veken and De Maertelaere followed.

“False complaint”

The Deinze police confirm the investigation, but cannot yet say anything about the content of the case. Van Der Veken, who took over the Hof van Cleve from top chef Peter Goossens in January this year, also says that he has already been questioned by the police, but denies that he used violence.

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Van Der Veken has it covered The Latest News about a false complaint that, according to him, originated in a discussion about severance pay. “I myself was attacked by Helena, who was drunk at the time. She would like me to fire her and pay a severance package. When I refused, she and her father threatened to go to the press.”