Chef Beaten, Killed Over Meal Dispute

A Japanese chef was allegedly killed over a meal he served in Germany this week. Miki Nozawa, a 57-year-old chef known for his Japanese-Italian fusion culinary skills, died Monday after being severely beaten by two male customers who were apparently dissatisfied with the food he prepared.

According to local officials, an autopsy will be conducted to determine Nozawa’s exact caused of death. However, initial reports suggest that the chef was killed by a brain hemorrhage, resulting from injuries he sustained over a meal dispute that turned violent.

The altercation between Nozawa and two unidentified male patrons began Sunday at a restaurant on the German island of Sylt.

The customers reportedly took issue with the way the chef prepared a particular dish of fried noodles and demanded a refund for what they deemed an unsatisfactory order.

While details of the conflict have not been confirmed, media reports indicate that an argument erupted between Nozawa and the dissatisfied patrons, who eventually fled the establishment without paying for their meal.

Later that night, the chef had the misfortune to run into the men at a local nightclub where the argument apparently escalated into a physical altercation.

According to Nozawa’s ex-wife, who has not been identified by name, the chef sustained severe brain injuries and internal bleeding during the fight. She believes it was these injuries that killed her ex-husband.

While local police have not confirmed which of the parties involved turned the dispute into a physical altercation, Nozawa’s former wife insists that the chef would not have initiated the violence.

“My ex-husband was not aggressive, absolutely good-natured man,” she explained. “He never would have started a fight.” She also believes the attack may have been racially motivated, and claims the chef had been the victim of verbal slurs concerning his ethnicity on prior occasions while working in Germany.

Local police initially detained the two men involved in Sunday’s incident on suspicion of causing bodily harm. However, a lack of significant evidence in the case reportedly led to the suspects’ release, although they are apparently continuing to cooperate with authorities as the matter is further investigated.

Meanwhile, Miki Nozawa’s pending autopsy could produce further evidence that may or may not prove if the chef was killed over a simple meal dispute.

[Top image via Shutterstock]