Top Chef Star to Billionaire Resort Owner Jeff Greene: Take This Job And Shove it!

Posted by Jose Lambiet , January 25, 2012 Print

Top Chef star Lindsay Autry walked off her Palm Beach gig as executive chef of the Omphoy Ocean Resort‘s chi-chi restaurant after she objected to the way billionaire owner Jeff Greene and his family treated her and her staff, Gossip Extra has learned.

Autry (Courtesy Top Chef)

Hotel employees who asked to remain anonymous told me Autry, 29, whose good-looking foods and good looks have made her a fan favorite on the pre-recorded current season of the Bravo hit reality series, hung up her apron after Greene, his wife Mei, their two children and two nannies moved into six suites at the Omphoy.

– Be the first to know: Click here to register for the Gossip Extra dirt alerts

Greene and his tribe are expected to be occupying the suites while his $24 million-mansion is being re-modeled.

Omphoy employees called Gossip Extra to report that Greene behaves like the resort is his personal playground, not the high-class joint it’s supposed to be. He reportedly treats workers from tenant businesses such as the restaurant and the spa like his own domestic staff.

“The area where he lives and Lindsay’s kitchen are close,” said one source who asked that her name be withheld, “so Jeff and his wife often walk in like they own the place and try to tell Lindsay what to do. The Greenes have even tried to fire waiters when it’s really none of their business. Jeff even showed up in the kitchen with bare feet.”

In fact, Autry works for famed Miami chef Michelle Bernstein, who has a management contract with the Omphoy. Bernstein announced this week she’s severing all ties with the resort at the end of the month. It’s unclear what will happened with the restaurant that now bears her name.

No one is commenting on whether Autry hitting the road had anything to do with Bernstein’s decision. Neither returned calls. Larry Carrino, Bernstein’s publicist, would only say that Autry decided to take “well deserved” time off.

“Chef Lindsay is no longer at the Omphoy,” Carino said, declining to provide more details.

Autry’s departure, meanwhile, could constitute a major embarrassment for Greene.

The current season of Top Chef, which was taped mostly in the summer, is two months from its finale. If Autry wins, the Omphoy would be unable to capitalize on her popularity.

Greene, left, with rocker Rod Stewart at the recent Palm Beach Policemen's Ball (Click on the Mike Jachles photo for more)

Former U.S. Senate candidate Greene bought the then-bankrupt boutique resort in April by purchasing the mortgage note for a rumored $42 million. He called it a “fun” investment.

A receptionist said Greene isn’t available for comment because he is out-of-town. Omphoy GM Henry Ball didn’t return calls.

For more:

– An insider describes life aboard Jeff Greene’s party yacht

– Jeff Greene settles down in Palm Beach

Miami Palm Beach billionaire, Bravo, Forbes 400, Gossip Extra, Jeff Greene, Jose Lambiet, kitchen, Lindsay Autry, Michelle Bernstein, Omphoy Ocean Resort, Palm Beach, The Omphoy, Top Chef

« Previous

Gen Jack Ripper, 1 year ago Reply

Classless looser.
- Had to leave, 1 year ago Reply
  
  I do hope your comment is referring to Mr. Greene
Sean, 1 year ago Reply

Jeff Greene is a jerk. He fired the only person working the HR department, because she was doing her job by following up with him in regards to a complaint from house keepers who said that he was screaming and throwing things at them and they do not want to work in his house any longer and that they should only work in the hotel. So when the HR director confronted Mr. Green about this he said, “It’s my f*cking house I can do and say whatever I want”. She was fired over this.
- Military Mary, 1 year ago Reply
  
  You are so correct. In my opinion the HR person was a great asset to the hotel, the only person who knew everyting about he hotel and looked out for not only the employees but for the hotel, owners and Managers. Jeff Greene broke several laws by doing what he did and the spineless General Manager didn’t have the guts to stand behind her for doing her job.
Deskboy, 1 year ago Reply

Good for her. She is smoking hot. She doesn’t need that sh!t from anybody. H`ow many others wish that they could do the same thing. She will be fine…
Herbert, 1 year ago Reply

Sometimes it’s not enough to be rich — to ‘win.’ Should this really be a surprise? Last one of these I remember tell of was a peach named Leona. Whatever did happen to her? I mean after the IRS. Greed can be like that. Like ego. It’s not enough you’ve gained so much while producing so little, you want everything you’ve torn up, and you want others to be made to suffer for it too, for your inadequacies as a human being.
- Betty Shopper, 1 year ago Reply
  
  and perhaps a tiny you know what!!!LOL!!
Jack the Ripper, 1 year ago Reply

Greene is a pig. Money means nothing. This POS is a filthy, rotten, hog. And you know what happens to pigs sooner or later? They get slaughtered… Greene you know how miserable you are inside..
Jane Doe, 1 year ago Reply

I worked on his senate campaign in Dade County. He is obnoxious, rude and treats his staff like crap. On top of it, he tried to screw us out of getting the pay we were entitled to for the work we did. We threatened to go to the press the day before the election. We finally got our money weeks later but we never got our 1099 forms. He’s a pig.
- QueenBee253, 1 year ago Reply
  
  oh I remember when he tried to run. and then that article came out about hookers and cocaine running abundant on his yacht. that’s the kind of guy I want in senate -_-
- Bodhi, 1 year ago Reply
  
  This is the same way he is at The Omphoy – Rude obnoxious screaming maniac. He’s a millionare go play golf or yaghting enjoy life let the people who know how to run a hotel run a hotel instead he’s sitting there badly micromanaging everyone and again not paying vendors and recreating the wheel in the middle of season what a schmuck!!!!! Someone needs to put him and his lazy GM out of their misery – Palm Beach is a small island and his new money doesn’t mesh with old money again he has NO CLASS HE’S A BIG PHONY SO’s his ugly wife. I have no doubt this “fun” adventure called The Omphoy isn’t gonna last long. What a shame, no wonder Deborah Carr left!
  - Betty Shopper, 1 year ago Reply
    
    Deborah Carr was the hardest working and most capable GM I ever encountered throughout the world. She would NEVER EVER have put up with his rudeness, crassness nor his total inability to understand the hotel biz and his evil manner and his complete disgusting violent attitude towards the employees of that hotel who were wonderful. He ruined everything Deborah and the Schlesinger family built—that hotel was rocking and then he came along and tore it to shreads. There is a special place in hell for someone like him.
    - Bodhi, 1 year ago Reply
      
      Well said!!
Arnold, 1 year ago Reply

Typical democrat sense of entitlement, even over humans. He bought the place so he owns them!
- Beatrix Kiddo, 1 year ago Reply
  
  Typical republican lack of common sense commenter. Turning every news story into a political diatribe.
- holy cow, 1 year ago Reply
  
  Arnold although I agree that Greene does have that mentality, it has nothing to do with what party he is affiliated with. Thats an ignorant thing to say. Its just simply the kind of person hr is. Arrogant, rude, demeaning and thinks hes entitled. if anything thosr are characteristics of a republican ha! lets try to stick to the subject at hand : Jeff Greene is an ass
  - HigherPowered, 1 year ago Reply
    
    You are an a**h*le
    Every Democratic politician with money is a
    s##mb#g (Kerry, Kennedy, etc…)
    Go back to servicing Obama
    - NC, 1 year ago Reply
      
      Every politician is. Idiot.
      - Agreed, 1 year ago
        
        Agreed.
- Jane Doe, 1 year ago Reply
  
  Hate to break it to you Arnold but Greene was a republican for 20 years, then an independent then he changed his affiliation to democrat when he decided to run for the senate. He also admitted to voting for Reagan so I guess this blows your theory.
RedRover, 1 year ago Reply

Jeff Greene is nothing more than a greedy rude pig. I was staying in the resort during the holidays and the hotel put up a 25 ft christmas tree that was beautiful and the staff was very proud of it. there were also menorahs throughout the property to honor the Jewish guests as well. a week later, when greene moved into the hotel, the tree was taken down. I guess he wasent happy (he is Jewish). i asked an employee why and the employee said that Greene told the staff to take down the tree because he didn’t want the resort to be known as “Christian”. subsequently a 2 foot tree was put in its place right next to a menorah twice it’s size. what a douche bag. he obviously doesnt care about his guests or clientele.
QueenBee253, 1 year ago Reply

you forgot to mention all the god awful statues and pieces of art that Greene brought into the resort. rumor is that they are all from his own home (which is being renovated) and they don’t want then there anymore. so they put them in their high end resort? the pieces are distasteful and make the hotel look like a side show motel
Betty Shopper, 1 year ago Reply

I wondered why it took this long for them to leave—and the Exhale Spa. The minute he bought the hotel his first order of business was to put “Oriental Chicken Salad” on the menu due to his Asian wife; and seven months after he changed General Managers of the hotel, he still has any inquiries about the hotel, on the main Omphoy website page, going to the EX General Manager’s former email address. How stupid can you be?! Maybe it’s fun for him but from the sidelines it has become a comedy routine and he is dumb and dumber. what a MAJOR JERK—-TRYING SO HARD TO BE A BIG SHOT. Cannot wait for the karma police to get to him.
mike, 1 year ago Reply

anyone who has mike tyson as the best man at their wedding is not saying to much. he’s an animal, has no consideration for other’s. i also worked for the jerk and dealt with his whole clan. even guest’s in his hotel noticed his behavior and wondered how anyone could work for him. his day will come. he likes to see people suffer.
Joseph Wynne, 1 year ago Reply

The Greene’s are the worst thing that could have happend to The Omphoy. The Omphoy was extemely classy and chic building a great reputation until this entitled pig bought the hotel now it’s a complete joke. I will never stay there again. He’s managed to insult guests and staff he’s run his two main anchors out of the place Exhale and Michelle Bernsteins and didn’t capitilize on the amazing and talented executive Chef Lindsay Autry being there because he’s such a narcisist. He let’s his kid run around screaming when people are paying good money to stay there – he has a trampoline on the north side of the building which is a major liability. The level of insanity that is taking place at the Omphoy is incredible. Instead of the staff focusing on guests during season when you make your money they all have to be at the Greene’s beck and call and he changes his mind and his plans contstantly due to his lack of knowledge and his ADHD. Why buy a place and run it into the ground…for a tax write off? He’s managed to get rid of the best management team one by one in the middle of season from the Exec. Chef to the Director of HR to F&B Director because he’s such a major prick and has no clue how to be hospitible or run a 4 star hotel properly. I agree with what everyone else is posting the Greene’s ARE PIGS and they karma is going to get them. I just feel bad for the great, attentive staff who are now loosing there benefits because once again he doesn’t care about anyone but himself and his wallet. Not a good plan Jeff you moron. You are the most disgusting person I’ve ever come in contact with and your little puppet boy Henri Ball who’s name should be ball less is not much better. He is the most incompetant GM on the face of the plannet and doesn’t care who he’s affecting with his bad decisions…all he does is eat Jeff’s expensive food …another self centered PIG. Who does a buffett until noon a Holiday Inn maybe…bad idea.
I will never stay at this hotel again until the Greene’s are gone.
- Betty Shopper, 1 year ago Reply
  
  i heard Greene wanted the buffets ON THE BEACH. I could not wait to see it set up that way and a sand and wind storm to take over the entire thing—-can you say COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY INSANE?!?!?!
  - Bodhi, 1 year ago Reply
    
    Exactly – oink oink !! And the hideous pieces of art if that’s what you want to call it – Leslie Schlesinger must be turning in her grave.
    He wanted to bring a cotton candy machine and put it by the chic o-bar these Green’s are like carnies with money YIKES!!
Jeff's Mom, 1 year ago Reply

Carnies with money! LOL!!!! Perfect.

I heard he punched the Christmas tree before he hauled it out to the valet area and beat it’s ass.
lulu, 1 year ago Reply

Both guests and staff should tell this moron to take his hotel and jobs and shove where the sun don’t shine. After that the yacht crew, hotel staff should all get together and write a tell all of everything they know.
- blo, 1 year ago Reply
  
  they will…they are already gathering info and stories
SqueakyWheel, 1 year ago Reply

Hooray for the HR rep who stood up for the housekeeping employees being chewed out by Greene! Guess Greene was smug that the truth would not surface. Fortunately, some current and former employees know the most important thing in life is not the money you make but the respect and dignity you earn from other human beings. Wonder what Greene thinks he’s teaching his own children with his unconscionable behavior? Hope they never turn on him in like fashion!

Looks like the ball of yarn in unraveling at the Omphoy! Won’t be long before his “good deal” is a bust at his own hands!

Former Omphoy employees, on to better endeavors. Chalk this one up as a great big lesson learned. Keep talking, though, so the rest of us will be in the know. We need to hear what really goes on with this greedy, entitled sorts…
- Sunshine Cain, 1 year ago Reply
  
  Will do and very well said. Thank you.
James, 1 year ago Reply

If any one else is having a wedding reception at the omphoy that is effected by this change please email me at jtny10@aol.com Im curious to know what everyone is doing?

My fiance and I chose this place due to the celebrity status of Michelle and have really enjoyed her creations. Now with less then 4 months we are in a corner and HIGHLY disappointed with this news.
Here's another piece of truth, 1 year ago Reply

Can’t say anything about Greene, but anyone singing the praises of the Schlesingers is out of their mind. They are notorious slumlords with cheap properties around the country. This project was done to make them look good and to let the wife, dying of cancer, hide behind the fact that her money was gotten in less than kosher ways in the past. I guess the chain of phoniness is continues…
Erik, 4 months ago Reply

This guy is a total scumbag… my small company performed work in his west palm beach office bldg. and have yet to collect one penny. He owes us over $30,000 since June 2012. My small company is struggling to stay open, not to mention ruined Christmas for my family and employees while he struts around like he owns the world… rot in hell pig man ! His day will come.
13634rhonecircle.com | Contractors to Billionaire Jeff Greene: Pay up, or Lose Your Home! – Gossip Extra, 3 weeks ago Reply

[...] $24 million-house in Palm Beach owned billionaire Jeff Greene, No. 218 on the Forbes 400 list of richest Americans, is the target of two liens filed this month [...]