Celebrity Chef Andrew Gruel Joins Huntington Beach City Council Amid Protests

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Celebrity chef Andrew Gruel was unanimously appointed to the Huntington Beach City Council on Tuesday night, stepping into the role previously held by state Senator Tony Strickland, amid a chaotic meeting that led to police intervention.

The council chambers were cleared after disruptions from the audience erupted during the mayor’s proposal to appoint Gruel without any debate. Many residents shouted objections, prompting Mayor Pat Burns to order the room cleared, leaving only members of the press, Gruel, and his family.

In the wake of his appointment, Gruel emphasized the importance of local governance, stating, “Everything that we do here is obviously emblematic of a movement to focus on local politics but also represent true American values, family, freedom, etc.”

Gruel, who owns several restaurants in Orange County, including the Calico Fish House and is the founder of Slapfish, addressed skepticism about his qualifications. “People probably look at my position and say ‘What does a chef know about all that stuff?’” he said. “Chefs are inherent at cutting waste, that’s what we do.”

The meeting had already seen tensions rise before Gruel’s appointment as council members proposed it amid vocal opposition from attendees, some of whom were ejected for their disruptive behavior. Mayor Burns called multiple recesses, but finally resorted to police intervention when order could not be restored.

“Shut up,” Burns retorted to one interruption. Following the third recess, officers cleared the chaos from the chambers, illustrating the deeply divided sentiments surrounding the council’s decision.

While prior appointments in Huntington Beach had involved public application processes, some residents expressed concern over the lack of transparency in Gruel’s selection. “At what point are you going to honor the things you screamed about three years ago and invite the public into this process? Shame on you,” one attendee remarked, referencing similar controversies in previous council appointments.

During the meeting, council members mentioned that Gruel was chosen not only for his local ties but also for his clear political stance. Gruel has been a vocal critic of California Governor Gavin Newsom‘s COVID-19 restrictions, asserting that they unfairly harmed the restaurant industry.

“We’re always going to have disagreements on how you get there,” Gruel noted, referring to the shared goals of residents for a safer community with clean streets and parks. His political presence is further amplified by his media appearances, particularly on platforms like Fox News.

Gruel’s appointment comes at a time when Huntington Beach has seen intense political activism and division, with ongoing debates over housing and local governance that often spill into council discussions. The most recent meeting embodied this divide as some audience members chanted “No more MAGA!” when they were escorted out amidst the uproar.

Looking forward, Gruel’s position on the council will be up for reelection in 2026. As a self-described Libertarian, he expressed a desire to focus on fundamental issues affecting daily life, such as public safety and infrastructure. “Are the parks safe? Do the kids have a place to play? Are the schools fun?” he questioned, underscoring his commitment to community engagement.

The dynamic nature of Huntington Beach’s political atmosphere seems destined to shape Gruel’s tenure, as local citizens remain heavily invested in the decision-making processes of their elected officials.