-Chicago
-Though Brianna Galen-Ames admitted very late Sunday to having received a bribe from FF scouter Daved Leineken in July 2011, Galen-Ames said that "Leineken's actions did not further encourage [Galen-Ames] from the way [she] already felt."
"I had been strongly considering pursuing re-joining Feast Fest in 2012 even before Leineken came to me."
Galen-Ames said she was "taken aback" when Leineken showed up at the door of her Central Illinois home on July 6, handed her a bag chock full of cash, and reportedly told her, "This is a bribe to get you to re-join Feast Fest in 2012. If you do not accept this bribe I will tell everyone that you tried to get me to bribe you."
Leineken was fired Saturday after the event was uncovered.
Galen-Ames told reporters, "I was very scared to report [the blackmail], and I am relieved to find out that Leineken has been fired."
The revelation comes on the heels of a week at Feast Fest that saw Galen-Ames booed heavily at conferences when it was announced that the formerly sixth-line-of-power chef could receive $1,500,000 per year and a Head Chef spot if she rejoins in 2012.
"We might have to think things over," said Head Scouter Jim Dall, "but Galen-Ames's integrity is pretty solid. I don't suspect anything fishy from her at the moment." He did add, however, that the incident "would not bode well in terms of getting people to accept the conditions of her return if it happens."
Event Mgr. William Vanderbilt's Approval Rating concerning the Galen-Ames matter jumped from 36% to 61% when the incident was uncovered late Saturday. His overall approval rating among FF chefs and other employees is 89%. It was 96%, but dipped sharply this past week when he sided with Brianna Galen-Ames, who, given the conditions, most of the Feast Fest chefs are against.
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