Michelin-starred chef, who “ordered an Employee to Remove his Sikh Bracelet in Case it Got Stuck in a Ladle”, is being sued for discrimination.

  • Niranjit Moorah Singh claimed he was discriminated against by Herbert Berger
  • Alleged the Michelin-starred chef told Mr Singh to remove Sikh bangle at work
  • Berger was worried that it might get stuck in a ladle while saucing foods, according to a tribunal court.
  • Singh stated that incidents took place while Singh worked at Berger’s Innholders Hall.










After allegedly ordering an employee to remove his Sikh traditional bangle, a Michelin-starred chef has been sued.

Niranjit Moorah Singh claims that Herbert Berger, a former Café Royal executive chef, told him to remove the bracelet which had been given to him by his late grandfather during a shift at the Innholders Hall in central London.

The £30,000-a-year assistant manager complained that he had never ‘in 20 years working and living in London’ been asked to remove the bangle.

It was like asking a Christian or Muslim to remove their hijab. As a symbol of their religion, Sikh devotees often wear traditional metal bracelets called Karas.

Michelin-starred chef Herbert Berger (pictured) is being sued for religious discrimination after he allegedly ordered employee Niranjit Moorah Singh to take off his traditional Sikh bangle - in case it got stuck in a ladle

Michelin-starred chef Herbert Berger (pictured) is being sued for religious discrimination after he allegedly ordered employee Niranjit Moorah Singh to take off his traditional Sikh bangle – in case it got stuck in a ladle

Mr Singh is now taking the Austrian-born chef, who has won stars with London restaurants 1 Lombard Street and the Grill Room, to an employment tribunal.

In his case, he claimed that Berger told him to remove the bangle from the kitchen because it was threatening to get stuck in the ladle while cooking the food.

Central London Employment Tribunal heard that Mr Singh started working in 2010 as a ‘casual employee’ in Berger’s Innholders Hall caterer.

He worked for eight more years to become an assistant manager, and he continued in that role until September 2020.

He told the Tribunal in written evidence that Herbert Singh had asked him to remove his Sikh Bangle every time he saws him since April.

The central London employment tribunal heard Mr Singh had began working as 'casual staff' for Mr Berger's catering establishment at Innholders Hall, in the capital, in 2010 (pictured)

According to the central London employment tribunal, Mr Singh began work as casual staff in Mr Berger’s Innholders Hall catering establishment in 2010. (Photo:

He calls it a bracelet, but he has never used the term. [asks]Tell me, what’s this thing in your hand [are] wearing. 

Mr Singh added that he had worn the bangle on his hand for more than 35 years after receiving it as a gift from his late grandfather in Malaysia.  

‘[In]During my twenty years of living and working in London, no employer asked me to take off my Sikh Bangle.  

“Can you please ask him to run and demonstrate a show during our visit at Innholders Hall, if he’s right?”

It is illegal to ask someone for their religious symbols from their bodies. This could include a cross of Jesus, a hijab or any other type.

“It has been a difficult time for me since being furloughed. I have lost all my income and am now thinking about what my future looks like.

“I was afraid of approaching Herbert while I worked in that length and asking him “Why am I not allowed to wear the Sikh bangle?”

His lawyers applied successfully to have Mr Singh’s religious discrimination claims thrown out by the courts in July.

The tribunal now acknowledges that Mr Singh was not aware of the hearing and will allow him to present his claim again in December.

Paul Stewart, an Employment Judge, said that he had dismissed the claim following a preliminary hearing without Mr Singh’s legal representatives.

Singh claimed that this was due to him being at work, and therefore unable answer calls.

A later date will see the Judgment. 

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