Acclaimed restaurant faces backlash over moldy jams and hazardous kitchen claims

Los Angeles restaurant Sqirl, which is known for its upscale brunch plates and signature jams, has found itself at the center of another recent food world controversy after a series of Instagram stories and comments accused the eatery's owner of not crediting workers of color, forcing employees to work in unsafe conditions and, perhaps most shocking to diehard fans Sqirl fans, serving jam that once been covered in mold. Sqirl, located in East Hollywood, opened in 2012 and quickly drew long lines after several noteworthy reviews. Until March when COVID-19 forced restaurants to closed, owner Jessica Koslow, known for her expertise on eclectic-flavored preserves, had served breakfast and lunch fare, including dishes like a $22 sorrel-pesto rice bowl, cactus flour pancakes and $9 brioche toast smeared with house-made jam and ricotta.