‘Top Chef Star Eric Adjepong Accused Of Violating Protective Order Involving Ex-Wife

Eric Adjepong, Janell Mack

‘Top Chef Star Eric Adjepong Accused Of Violating Protective Order Involving Ex-Wife

Celebrity chef and Top Chef alum Eric Adjepong is facing renewed scrutiny after newly surfaced court records revealed he was previously accused of violating a temporary protective order involving his ex-wife, Janell Mack, more than a year before their daughter was granted her own protective order.

According to TMZ, Mack obtained a temporary protective order against Adjepong in January 2025 that prohibited him from contacting her “’by any means.” Court records reportedly show that one day after the order was issued, Adjepong contacted his ex-wife through the OurFamilyWizard parenting app to request a FaceTime call involving their daughter. A court summons was later issued reminding him not to contact Mack while the order remained in effect.

Through his attorney, Adjepong told TMZ the alleged violation was ultimately dismissed because the communication occurred through OurFamilyWizard, the court-mandated app the former couple was required to use during their divorce and custody proceedings. His attorney argued that the court recognized the conflict between the communication requirement and the temporary protective order. Adjepong also shared a statement on Instagram saying he has remained silent because he believes “integrity is measured by how you conduct yourself when your character is being questioned,” adding that he would “choose truth.”

The latest development comes days after a Maryland judge issued a one-year protective order involving the former couple’s 7-year-old daughter following abuse allegations raised during an ongoing custody dispute. Adjepong has denied wrongdoing and, through his attorney, said he is complying with the court’s order while expressing hope that future matters involving his family can be resolved privately through the legal system. Authorities have said no criminal charges were filed following investigations by Washington, D.C., police and Child and Family Services, though the civil protective order remains in effect.