By DORIS ISRAEL IJEOMA
In a recent turn of events, Vibe By Ann’s, an Abuja restaurant, has responded to chef Hilda Baci’s denial of a pre-planned meet-and-greet event, vowing to take legal action against her.
The controversy arose after an e-flier surfaced on the internet, advertising a meet-and-greet event featuring Baci at Vibe By Ann’s restaurant in Abuja on June 24, 2023.
The flyer indicated that Baci would be charging N25,000 for personal meet-ups, live cooking demonstrations, and food tasting.
However, Baci denied charging such an amount during a statement released last Friday.
Her denial led to a swift response from the restaurant management, who issued a statement on Monday to address the situation.
In their statement, the restaurant management expressed regret over the cancellation of the highly anticipated event scheduled for June 24, 2023.
They extended their sincere apologies to their esteemed customers for any inconvenience caused.
The management revealed that all arrangements for the event had been finalized, including the agreement to publish promotional materials after an advance payment was made to Miss Hilda Bassey.
Despite these arrangements, Baci suddenly disavowed any knowledge of the event publicly. The restaurant management criticized her conduct, stating that it had negatively impacted their brand reputation.
As a result, they announced their intention to take all necessary legal measures to ensure that justice is served in this matter.
To substantiate their claims, the management also shared a receipt indicating that a payment of N3 million had been made to Baci.
This financial evidence reinforces their position and raises further questions about Baci’s denial.
The controversy surrounding the meet-and-greet event has generated significant attention, particularly on social media platforms. People have been expressing their disappointment and seeking clarification from both Baci and the restaurant.