A former cook for a company that provides dining services at the University of Utah has filed a federal discrimination lawsuit, claiming his disfigured face and scarred hands made him the target of a hostile work environment.
The lawsuit, filed against Chartwells Dining Services, its parent company Compass Group USA Inc., five unnamed defendants and the U., also alleges that Alessandro Visconti's Peruvian heritage played a role in his being denied promotions and in his eventual dismissal.
Glen E. Davies, assistant Utah attorney general, deferred comment until after he could review the suit. Rick D. Roskelley, attorney for Chartwells and Compass, did not return a Deseret Morning News phone call seeking comment.
The lawsuit, which gives one side of a legal argument, alleges that Visconti, who was severely burned in a 1998 accident, was called "The Grinch" because of his appearance while employed at Chartwells, and that he was kept away from patrons.
"Many times people would want to compliment Alessandro's cooking; however, the chef, a Caucasian, would present himself to the guests and take credit for the cooking when in fact he had not cooked the food," the lawsuit said.
It also alleges that Visconti's ideas to present food for a particular banquet were selected, but that "Alessandro was told to stay in the kitchen."
Visconti trained at Giuliano Bugialli's culinary school in Milan, Italy, and at Salt Lake Community College, the lawsuit says, yet it alleges he was paid only $7 an hour when he was hired in 2004 — $1 less per hour than a white dishwasher.
The lawsuit claims Visconti was told he was being temporarily laid off in 2006 "because things were slow." But when he tried to return to work in August, he was told Chartwells was not hiring, though the lawsuit alleges at least 16 people were hired after that.
The lawsuit also said that, from June to September 2006, defendants sent Visconti about eight e-mails, one stating in part, "Ugly people do not deserve the chef's jacket." Another said, "This kitchen is for white people."
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Visconti and his wife, Ruth Visconti, claims the treatment has caused the couple "great emotional distress." It is seeking unspecified damages, in addition to lost wages, and that Visconti be reinstated to "the position he is duly qualified for."
Visconti's attorney, Bradley G. Nykamp, declined to comment on the lawsuit, which claims violations of the Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The lawsuit was transferred from state to federal court last week.
E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com