Adam Pechal, a 50-year-old California chef who previously worked with Anthony Bourdain, has been arrested on suspicion of felony corporal injury. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies responded to a call at an Arden-Arcade home around 11 p.m. Wednesday, where a woman alleged she had been physically assaulted by Pechal.
Deputies evaluated the woman at the scene, and she did not require medical attention, according to Sgt. Edward Igoe, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office. Pechal was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail early Thursday and held on $50,000 bail. He is scheduled for arraignment on Friday in Sacramento Superior Court.
Pechal achieved national recognition after competing on the first season of ABC's reality cooking competition "The Taste," which was co-hosted by the late Anthony Bourdain. He later became a notable figure in Sacramento's culinary scene, operating Tuli Bistro, Thir13en, and Tuli Catering, before transitioning to private events and consulting. He also designed the menu for Local Flights at Sacramento International Airport, set to open in 2025.
Most recently, Pechal worked as a private chef, culinary consultant, and educator, often cooking for players on the Sacramento Kings basketball team. His arrest on the felony domestic violence allegation casts a shadow over his career, which was significantly boosted by his association with Bourdain.