S. Samuel
Rap mogul Jay-Z and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter's former touring chef Mike Shand has reportedly been hit with a $1.5 million lawsuit by the hip-hop executive's 40/40 Club.
According to reports, Shand is in hot water for not living up to agreements he made with Jay’s popular sports bar for its re-opening earlier this year.
Jay-Z’s relationship with his personal chef has ended on a sour note. The hip-hop star’s famed Manhattan 40/40 Club yesterday served up a $1.5 million federal lawsuit against Mike Shand, who was tapped to run the nightspot’s kitchen after cooking on tour for both Jay-Z and wife Beyoncé. But court papers charge that Shand “failed to perform on significant aspects” of a deal to beef up the menu for the luxury sports bar’s $10 million reopening earlier this year. As a result, Jay-Z and partner Juan Perez were unable to deliver promised offerings, “costing the club lost profits, loss of good will [and] alienation of clientele,” the suit says. The Manhattan court filing adds, “The club has not been able to adequately replace the items and services defendant was paid to provide.” (New York Post)
An attorney for Shand has already stepped forward to address the suit.
His lawyer, Vik Pawar, said, “Mike’s a great chef, and it is unclear why 40/40 would contemplate a lawsuit against him. Nevertheless, we will respond accordingly when he gets served with the complaint.” Meanwhile, Jay-Z and Beyoncé have been keeping a low profile in the Hamptons since taking residence out east in a $400,000-a-month Bridgehampton rental, Sandcastle. (New York Post)
Jay’s renowned sports bar continues to grow in popularity and will open its doors at the Brooklyn Nets’ Barclays Center this fall.
The 40/40 Club will open its new location at the Barclays Center, the new sports and entertainment venue and home to the Brooklyn Nets. The $1 billion arena will house the 9,000 square-foot restaurant slated to debut on the arena’s opening night when Jay-Z performs in concert on September 28, 2012. “There is no better home for another 40/40 Club location than the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn,” stated Jay-Z. “The 40/40 Club has revolutionized restaurants in a way I anticipate Barclays Center to transform the arena watching experience.” (Inside Hoops)
Earlier in the summer, Young Hov teamed with Duracell after powering up his popular franchise through its wireless technology.
Jay-Z is linking up with Duracell and Powermat to act as a spokesperson for “Wireless Power Nation,” a phone charging system that will be installed on tables and bars in coffeeshops, restaurants, clubs, gyms, and public venues across the country. Currently, Jay-Z has the service available in his 40/40 Club in New York City. The revolutionary technology allows patrons to charge their phones by simply placing their cell phone or wireless device on the table. Duracell and GM have already used the technology on the Chevy Volt as well, so it is likely that consumers will see this technology in more and more cars in the near future as the technology becomes less expensive and demand increases for the convenience. (STL American)
