Nashville Kitchen Nightmares Restaurant Shuttered; Seized for Tax Evasion

Chappy's on Church, a Nashville restaurant featured on the May 3 episode of Kitchen Nightmares, has been seized by the state for not paying its taxes. The Nashville Business Journal reports that a sign on the restaurant's door explains it has been "seized for non-payment of Tennessee state taxes." The Tennessean has a photo of the sign itself, and notes "inside, white tablecloths and menus remained in place."

Back in March before the episode aired, chef/owner John "Chappy" Chapman went public and talked to the National Enquirer about his experience with shouty chef Gordon Ramsay. "It was truly a kitchen nightmare for me," said Chapman. "Gordon Ramsay destroyed my business." Discussing the experience in the press maybe/possibly/probably is against an NDA similar to the one Amy's Baking Company came up against after their debacle of an episode.

During the Chappy's episode, the New Orleans-flair restaurant was gutted, and his menu was overhauled with advice from Ramsay. The restaurant brought back its original menu in mid-January, having kept Ramsay's menu for about four weeks.

Apparently Nashville residents saw it coming? But now Chapman seems to be looking past all that. Here's the very positive (albeit still anti-Kitchen Nightmares) message he posted on the restaurant's Facebook page yesterday:

"I love Nashville. Nashville's been great to us and we love all our customers! This is a very sad day since we have worked so hard. We shouldn't have done Kitchen Nightmares. We have spent several months struggling to come out of a negative situation. Plans are forthcoming right now and in the meantime, we are taking a break and spending time with family. Thank you." - Chappy

"Spending time with my family" is the new "seized for non-payment of Tennessee state taxes," apparently.

· Chappy's restaurant closed, seized by state [Nashville Business Journal]
· All Chappy's on Church Coverage on Eater [-E-]
· All Kitchen Nightmares Coverage on Eater [-E-]