Kaprica Chef’s Alleged Rage and Abuse Stun Melbourne's Dining Scene
So, I’ve been following this shocking situation that’s unfolded around one of Melbourne’s well-known Italian restaurants, Kaprica, and the chef-owner behind it, Pietro Barbagallo. The place, once celebrated for its authentic vibes and buzzing atmosphere, has now become the center of a storm of serious allegations — and it all started with a viral video that’s hard to ignore.
Imagine walking into what’s supposed to be a cozy, rustic dinner experience in Carlton — dim lights, comforting aromas, the buzz of a packed house. Then, the mood flips. A group of friends, just trying to enjoy their meal, found their night derailed when their request to replace a spicy pasta dish escalated into chaos. A video shows Barbagallo storming out, yelling profanities, grabbing the tablecloth, smashing plates, and literally screaming at the customers to get out. “You and your f---ing phone!” he shouts. It was wild — like something out of a kitchen nightmare, but it was all too real.
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And as it turns out, this wasn’t an isolated incident. After the footage surfaced, former and current staff started speaking out — and what they described paints a disturbing picture of life behind the scenes at Barbagallo’s restaurants, not just Kaprica but stretching back decades. We’re talking reports of regular outbursts, flying crockery, physical intimidation, and even allegations of sexual harassment and indecent exposure. One former employee recounted the chef exposing himself after offering her champagne and cocaine — and unfortunately, she wasn’t the only one with a story like that.
Others described being belittled, screamed at, and watching coworkers break down in tears. Some mentioned he’d fly into rages so intense it left people frozen, just waiting for the storm to pass. These were not one-off moments — this kind of behavior was reportedly routine.
And then there’s the money side of things. Several former staff members raised concerns about missing superannuation, dodgy cash payments, and being underpaid, with messages showing staff pleading for months for what they were owed. Some even got fired for asking about public holiday rates. Meanwhile, social media campaigns had made the restaurant busier than ever — but it seems the pressure just magnified the cracks.
Barbagallo has declined to properly respond to the mounting claims, with one encounter ending in him locking his restaurant door rather than addressing the allegations. For a chef once credited with revolutionizing Melbourne’s pizza scene, it’s a dramatic fall from grace.
The saddest part? Many former employees say this type of toxic behavior was long accepted in the hospitality world — a “work-hard, suffer-harder” culture that’s only just beginning to be questioned. But now, as these stories come to light, there’s a renewed call for accountability. Because no one, no matter how talented or influential, should be excused from treating others with basic respect and decency — especially not in a workplace.
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