Zdeněk Pohlreich and the controversies of ‘Ano, šéfe!’

Zdeněk Pohlreich, a prominent figure in Czech gastronomy, has faced various controversies throughout his career, particularly during the filming of the television show ‘Ano, šéfe!’. The program, a Czech adaptation of the ‘Kitchen Nightmares’ format, has documented his attempts to assist struggling restaurants.

One notable incident involved a culinary school for children with disabilities in Northern Bohemia, where the school director accused Pohlreich of mocking the students. Another controversial episode occurred at a roadside restaurant, where Pohlreich, dressed in a burqa to highlight religious tensions, was physically removed from the premises by the owner.

In a more recent episode set in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, Pohlreich visited the Albert Málek restaurant located within a former brewery complex. The visit was marked by unexpected tension when a member of the staff expressed a strong refusal to participate in the television production, creating a departure from the typical restaurant rescue dynamics seen in previous seasons.