Chef Alex Guarnaschelli Says She Never Sends Food Back — And Fans Are Debating It

Need to Know

Here are the big takeaways from this story, explained simply:

• Alex Guarnaschelli said she would never send food back at a restaurant, no matter what.
• Fans had a big debate about her stance. Some said food allergies or undercooked meals are good reasons to return a dish.
• Guarnaschelli also celebrated her daughter Ava’s 19th birthday this week with a sweet Instagram post.

Important Point: Sending food back means asking the restaurant to take your plate away and bring you a new one (or fix it) because something is wrong with the food.

What Happened?

Alex Guarnaschelli is a famous chef who judges cooking shows. She got people talking with her strong answer to a simple question: “How bad does food have to be before you send it back?”

In a video posted on Food Network’s Instagram on Tuesday, July 14, the 57-year-old chef explained her rule.

She said:

• “I am a Chopped judge of 16 years” (a show where chefs compete and judges taste food).
• She currently judges another show called 100 Cooks.
• “I would never send food back, no matter what. Zero chance. There’s no chance. None, zero, absolutely nothing.”
• She added that even if the food were bad, “I’d just stand there and smile.”

The post asked viewers to share their own thoughts, and boy, did they!

What Fans Said

The comments were split. Here’s what people thought:

Some Said They Would Speak Up

• One person said the only time they sent food back was when scallops (a type of seafood) were not cooked enough. They wrote: “If the meal is raw and inedible then it needs to go back.”
• Others pointed out that some people have food allergies (when certain foods make your body sick). One commenter said they only sent food back when they told the restaurant they’re allergic to dairy (like cheese or butter) and the food still had it on it.

Some Shared Nice Stories

• One person said they usually never send food back, but at a brunch the food was awful. They were honest when asked, insisted on paying, and the restaurant refused to charge them. It helped the restaurant fix the problem, and they’ll go back.
• Others agreed with Alex, saying they’d feel too rude. One wrote they once got the wrong dish and still ate it rather than say something.

Some Had Strong Opinions on Manners

• A comment said: “You are absolutely legally entitled to send something back if you don’t like it. But people who know the industry… NEVER send anything back unless something truly frightening was placed in front of you.”

Alex’s Sweet Birthday Tribute

In other news this week, Alex celebrated her daughter Ava’s 19th birthday.

Here’s what she did:

1. On Sunday, July 12, she shared an Instagram post with a photo of her and Ava (who was born in 2007).
2. She wrote: “Best day of my life. The day Ava was born. Today she is 19. No words. Ava: you have made me want to be a better person and a better cook too.”
3. She added: “I love you the most in the world, kid. Happy birthday.”

Summary

Alex Guarnaschelli, a well-known chef, said she would never send food back at a restaurant, even if it’s bad. Fans debated this, with some saying allergies or raw food are valid reasons, and others agreeing it feels too rude. Separately, Alex posted a loving tribute to her daughter Ava on her 19th birthday.

FAQ

1. Who is Alex Guarnaschelli?
She is a celebrity chef, 57 years old, who has judged Chopped for 16 years and now judges 100 Cooks on Food Network.

2. What does “send food back” mean?
It means telling the restaurant the food is wrong (like undercooked or has an allergen) and asking for a new plate or a fix.

3. Why did some fans disagree with Alex?
They said if food is raw, inedible, or has an allergen like dairy they warned about, it’s fair to return it.

4. How old is Ava, and when is her birthday post from?
Ava turned 19, and Alex’s Instagram tribute was posted on July 12.

5. Where did this story originally appear?
It was first published on People magazine’s website.