Brewery Bhavana ends internal investigation into misconduct. Owners vow to regain trust.
An investigation into the workplace culture of Raleigh restaurants Brewery Bhavana and Bida Mada has wrapped up, but its findings remain largely secret at this point.
The investigation followed allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment made by multiple former and current employees that led to the firing of beverage director Jordan Hester and the resignation and divestment of co-owner Vansana Nolintha.
The remaining owners, Vanvisa Nolintha and Patrick Woodson, hired Raleigh attorney Denise Cline to conduct an investigation into allegations of harassment and misconduct within the restaurants, said a company spokesperson.
According to an internal email shared with The News & Observer, that investigation has been completed. A spokesperson said its findings would not be made public for confidentiality reasons.
The email, signed by Vanvisa Nolintha and Woodson, said the company would be making changes in an effort to regain the trust of employees and the community.
“We have been carefully listening to the many voices who have offered constructive input about our previous workplace culture and organizational structure,” the email said. “Your feedback has prompted much soul searching and a complete evaluation of our systems and processes. As we mentioned in our last communication, meaningful change only comes from understanding, and we appreciate the opportunity you have given us to reflect and improve.”
Since it opened in 2012, Bida Manda has been one of Raleigh’s most popular restaurants. When Brewery Bhavana opened next door in 2017, it drew national acclaim. Until the coronavirus pandemic largely shut down restaurants, it took weeks of planning to get a reservation.
In June, former employees posted on social media allegations of sexual harassment, misconduct and assault, leading to the firing of Hester and Nolintha’s resignation and departure from the company.
More recently, and separate from the allegations at the restaurant, Hester was arrested on July 1 and charged with secretly recording and peeping an individual for the purposes of sexual gratification, a Class 1 felony. The offense dates back to May 1, 2009, according to Raleigh Police Department arrest records.
The current owners, Vanvisa Nolintha and Woodson, make it clear in their email they intend to reopen the restaurants once they feel it’s safe to do so.
“It is our hope to restore trust from you and the community and return to the vibrant environment that our guests delighted in visiting,” the email said. “We also hope that through our efforts, we can continue to contribute to rebuilding the healthy Raleigh restaurant scene. ... We believe that through our due diligence and improvements in the following areas, we can strengthen the professionalism and efficiency of our operations as well as improve our workplace culture. This is the beginning.”
A spokesperson for the restaurants said the investigation took two weeks to complete, but could not say how many current and former employees participated.
In the staff email, Nolintha and Woodson said that Brewery Bhavana general manager Luisa Jaramillo and financial director Whitney Wilson made the decision to resign.
Jaramillo, who was made general manager in August 2019, said her resignation was made voluntarily and that she was not pressured to leave the company.
“It was my own choice,” Jaramillo said, adding that she was considering a career change before the allegations and the pandemic. “For me, the best decision was to leave.”
Wilson did not return a call or text requesting comment.
The internal email also said the company had hired a new human resources consultant, Sandy Lewis of Positive Shift Coaching.
