The Eric Adjepong divorce has moved from a private family matter into a widely discussed news story, especially after a Maryland judge’s recent decision involving the chef’s contact with his young daughter. Adjepong, known to Food Network audiences for hosting “Alex vs. America” and “Wildcard Kitchen,” has spent years navigating a difficult separation, custody disagreements, and protective order proceedings with his ex-wife, Janell Mack. What began as a routine divorce filing in 2022 has since evolved into one of the more closely watched personal stories in the food television world, with new developments emerging as recently as July 22, 2026.
Who Is Eric Adjepong
Eric Adjepong is an American chef, television personality, and author of Ghanaian heritage, born and raised in the Bronx, New York City. He holds a culinary arts and nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a master’s degree in international public health nutrition from the University of Westminster. Adjepong first gained national recognition in 2018 as a finalist on “Top Chef: Kentucky” season 16, later returning for the all-star season 17. Since then, he has built a strong presence on Food Network, hosting “Alex vs. America” alongside Alex Guarnaschelli and “Wildcard Kitchen,” while also appearing on “Beat Bobby Flay,” “Chopped,” and other competition shows. In 2025, he opened Elmina, a restaurant in Washington, D.C. dedicated to Ghanaian cuisine, and he co-owns a catering company, Pinch and Plate, with his ex-wife.
The Marriage and Separation
Adjepong married Janell Mack in 2016, and the couple share a daughter, Lennox, who was born in 2018. According to court records, the pair separated in October 2021, and Mack filed for divorce in January 2022. The proceedings dragged on for more than two years before the divorce was finalized in August 2024. As part of the Marital Settlement Agreement, Adjepong was required to pay approximately $804 per month in child support.
Court filings indicate the split was far from amicable. Adjepong reportedly accused Mack of “constructive desertion,” a legal term describing a situation in which one spouse’s conduct makes continuing the marriage untenable, along with claims of cruelty of treatment. The custody arrangement was also contested from the start, with Mack initially requesting sole physical custody and Adjepong seeking joint physical and legal custody of their daughter.
Protective Orders and Legal Turbulence
Even after the divorce was finalized, legal disputes between Adjepong and Mack continued. In January 2025, Mack was granted a temporary protective order against her ex-husband. She alleged that just one day after the order was issued, Adjepong attempted to contact her through a FaceTime request, which she claimed violated the terms of the order. When Adjepong later missed a scheduled court hearing, a Maryland court issued a warrant for his arrest. That warrant was ultimately rescinded after it was determined he had not been properly served due to an address error, meaning he was never formally notified of the hearing date.
Following further proceedings, the two reportedly reached an agreement that dismissed an earlier protective order, contingent on Adjepong refraining from “abusing, threatening, or harassing” Mack and communicating about their daughter only through a court-monitored parenting app. Despite this string of legal setbacks, Adjepong’s television career continued to move forward largely uninterrupted, with new seasons of his shows continuing to air.
Judge Bars Adjepong From Being Alone With His Daughter
The most significant update in the Eric Adjepong divorce saga arrived in July 2026. A Maryland judge determined there is “a preponderance of the evidence” to believe Adjepong physically abused his daughter, according to reporting from the Washington Post published July 22, 2026. As a result, a protective order now prohibits Adjepong from having unsupervised contact with the child. Under the terms of the order, he cannot be alone with his daughter until he completes parenting classes and reunification therapy with her.
Additional court proceedings, which began in May 2026 and concluded with a final hearing on July 10, 2026, resulted in an order requiring Adjepong to stay away from his daughter, her residence, her school, and her childcare providers through July 10, 2027. He is also barred from directly contacting the child. Janell Mack’s attorney, Todd Mohink, said he believes the court “did its job to protect the best interest of the child.” Adjepong, through his attorney, said he would protect his daughter’s privacy and would not discuss the sensitive family matters or underlying allegations publicly, while noting that the allegations arose within the context of a lengthy divorce and custody dispute. He also expressed hope that he and his ex-wife could resolve remaining issues privately through legal channels rather than in the media. According to reporting, no criminal charges have been filed against either party in connection with the case.
Public Interest in the Case
The Eric Adjepong divorce has drawn significant public attention largely because it involves a well-known television personality whose public image has long centered on warmth, culinary creativity, and celebration of his Ghanaian-American heritage. The contrast between his on-screen persona and the serious allegations detailed in court filings has fueled widespread curiosity. Fans and industry colleagues alike have followed the story closely, and Food Network personalities including Alex Guarnaschelli have publicly shown support for Adjepong during the ongoing legal proceedings, even as details of the abuse finding remain largely confidential.
Search interest in topics such as “Eric Adjepong divorce,” his relationship with Janell Mack, and updates on his daughter Lennox has grown steadily since the case first became public in late 2025. The story touches on themes many people find compelling: celebrity culture, family court proceedings, and questions about how public figures navigate difficult personal circumstances while maintaining demanding careers.
Career Amid Legal Challenges
Despite the ongoing legal complications, Adjepong’s professional life has remained active. He continues to host “Wildcard Kitchen,” with its third season featuring appearances from chefs such as Jet Tila, Dale Talde, Nini Nguyen, Maneet Chauhan, Mei Lin, and Aarón Sánchez. In interviews tied to the new season, Adjepong has spoken about his growing television career and his friendship with longtime collaborator Alex Guarnaschelli, while also touching on his life more than a year after finalizing his divorce. His restaurant Elmina has also continued to receive attention for its focus on modern Ghanaian cuisine, and he remains a visible figure across Food Network’s programming lineup.
Final Thoughts
The Eric Adjepong divorce has evolved well beyond a standard celebrity separation, culminating in a serious court finding regarding his contact with his daughter. While Adjepong’s television career has continued to thrive, the recent protective order and the judge’s determination mark one of the most consequential developments in the case to date. There is no official confirmation of additional criminal charges at this time, and both parties appear to be navigating the situation primarily through family court rather than public statements. As the case continues, particularly with the stay-away order in effect through July 10, 2027, further updates may emerge regarding custody arrangements, the reunification therapy process, and how this chapter affects Adjepong’s public and professional life going forward.
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