Women say caterer deceived them after not showing up, won’t refund money

CHARLOTTE — A group of women say they paid hundreds of dollars for a personal chef, but he didn’t show up for their event. Now, they’re fighting to get their money back.

The women contacted Action 9 investigator Jason Stoogenke about their situation. They also told him that what upset them most has nothing to do with the food or the money.

Familia Herring said she was going to host a “girls’ getaway” in Charlotte last June and the women planned to have it catered, so they hired Chef Fred Dupree. She said they paid Dupree $400 upfront.

“We’re all in different places so that one time of year, we can kind of come together and just kind of have a great time,” she said.

A few hours before the event, someone claiming to be Dupree’s brother texted the group saying Dupree had been in a “bad accident” and that he was in the hospital with a broken arm, leg and ribs. The person also included a photo of the crash.

“So, of course, at the time, we’re like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ We want to make sure that he’s OK. We’re sending well wishes. We made sure we said a prayer for him,” Herring said.

However, a friend of theirs was suspicious, so she searched the photo online and found the same image on a West Virginia TV station’s website regarding a fatal accident that happened there last year. The women said the photo on the website was the exact same photo that was texted to them.

“You took a picture from a fatal crash of someone’s family who is grieving … You’re not thinking about the impact that has on that family who actually lost someone,” Herring said.

Herring wants the money she paid refunded.

“It’s just frustrating because we work hard. We go to work every day and so do other people,” she said.

She showed Action 9 the contract that stated if Dupree canceled and couldn’t find a replacement, he’d provide a refund.

At the time of this report, Herring said they have not heard from Dupree since June.

Stoogenke contacted Dupree, who agreed to do an interview via Zoom. Stoogenke provided him with information on Herring’s situation in advance, but when they spoke, Dupree said he didn’t know what Stoogenke was talking about.

“A lot of things I heard about through social media,” Dupree said.

He told Stoogenke he would have to check his records. Stoogenke asked Dupree if he had been in an accident in June and he said he was not. He also said his brother did not send a text with a photo of an accident to the women.

Dupree said he was upset because he has lost “probably like 99%” of his clients because of the claims being made against him on social media.

More customers question chef, his credentials

Lanella Harrington says she trusted Dupree enough to hire him for her wedding. She didn’t even press him for a contract.

Dupree did cater the wedding, but according to Harrington there were many problems.

“The food was horrible. Our rice wasn’t done. The chicken … guests were coming, showing me where the chicken was running with blood,” she said.

Harrington said Dupree texted her and promised to give some of her money back, but after two months she still hasn’t received any money from him.

“That’s a one in a million day and it actually really hurt,” she said.

(WATCH: More customers question chef, his credentials)

More customers question chef, his credentials

Other customers say Dupree’s Instagram profile used to say that he was a Johnson and Wales certified chef. Stoogenke contacted the university and a representative said, “There is no such thing as a JWU certified chef. We don’t certify chefs. We offer degrees.”

On Dupree’s Instagram page, most of the photos are of food, but on Wednesday a photo of celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain giving the middle finger was posted to the account.

The photo caused a stir among customers and their friends with one person commenting: “I guess this post … was for us. Very classy.”

Stoogenke tried to contact Dupree on Thursday to ask about Harrington’s wedding and the claim about being a Johnson and Wales certified chef. Dupree did not respond in time for this report. However, minutes after Stoogenke texted Dupree, the photo of Bourdain was removed from the page.

Stoogenke offers this advice to anyone hiring a caterer:

- Always have a contract.

- Pay with a credit card because it’s easier to dispute charges that way.

- If the caterer doesn’t show up for your event, you may consider small claims court. It costs about $100.

(WATCH BELOW: How to search photo history online)

Action 9: How to search photo history online

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