‘Top Chef’ star Eric Adjepong banned from being alone with daughter after abuse finding

“Top Chef” star Eric Adjepong’s 7-year-old daughter, Lennox, has been granted a yearlong protective order against him.

On July 10, a Maryland judge ruled that “there is a preponderance of the evidence to believe” the chef physically abused his and ex Janelle Davis-Mack’s child, according to the Washington Post.

The outlet claimed that the order, which runs through July 10, 2027, states Adjepong may still see Lennox, but the visits myst be supervised.

The order reportedly prohibits the 38-year-old from contacting, harassing, abusing or threatening to abuse his daughter or estranged spouse.

Additionally, he has been mandated to complete parenting classes and reunification therapy with her.

Adjepong claimed in court records that he parents his child “appropriately, safely and in an age-appropriate manner.”

He declined to “discuss the underlying allegations or other sensitive family matters” in a statement shared to social media “because this matter involves [his] young daughter, whom [he] love[s] deeply,” and he “intend[s] to protect her privacy.”

The cookbook author did, however, note, “These allegations arose in the context of a long-running divorce and custody proceeding, which finally concluded on June 2, 2026.”

He added that the “protective order followed careful reviews by law enforcement and the District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency.”

Adjepong also pointed out, “Metropolitan Police Department closed its investigation without filing charges. [Child and Family Services Agency] concluded its investigation with an ‘unfounded’ disposition, which its report defines as not true.”

He called the “last several weeks” the “most difficult of [his] life” — and subsequently posted a slew of images and videos with his child to his Story.

Davis-Mack, for her part, shared a statement via Instagram last week, praising her “brave” child for “speak[ing] up against [someone] who should have been one of the most trusted adults in her life.”

She continued, “Unfortunately for him — I’ll never stop believing her, protecting her, or reminding her that her voice matters. We’ve been quiet long enough.”

Her attorney, Todd K. Mohink, told the Washington Post, “The court did the right thing to protect the best interests of the child.”

Davis-Mack filed a petition on May 1 to protect the former couple’s child from alleged abuse by Adjepong after a nurse examining their daughter filed a report with the D.C. CFSA.

This, per court records, “evolved into an investigation with the Washington D.C. Police Department.”

A police spokesperson told the outlet their Youth Investigations Branch was asked to look into allegations of “sexual abuse” on May 1 and, upon finding no probable cause that such occurred, the case was referred back to CFSA.

Adjepong and Davis-Mack wed in May 2017, welcoming their baby girl the following year.

The duo called it quits in October 2021 and filed to legally end their union three months later. Their divorce was settled in August 2022.

In January 2025, Adjepong allegedly contacted his former spouse, therefore violating her protective order connected to a domestic violence case.

That same month, he filed a motion claiming Davis-Mack was preventing him from seeing Lennox.

She denied this, then filed to modify their custody agreement over Adjepong allegedly driving 116 mph in a 5 mph zone in November 2024. (While the Food Network star was charged with, among other things, speeding, reckless driving, and driving while impaired by drugs and alcohol at the time, all charges were ultimately dropped).

In addition to being a finalist on Season 16 of “Top Chef: Kentucky,” which premiered in 2018, Adjepong has competed on “Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.” and Guy Fieri’s “Tournament of Champions.”

He hosts the Food Network shows “Wildcard Kitchen” and “Alex vs. America.”

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 800-422-4453 or text BEGIN to 800-422-4453.