Mr. Chow v. Philippe Miami

In a case of spied rice, Mr. Chow says rival restaurateur Philippe Chow's staff sneaked into the kitchen of his new Miami outpost in order to steal trade secrets.

Michael Chow, who started the Mr. Chow chain more than three decades ago, yesterday amended his recent trademark infringement lawsuit against his former employee, Philippe, to include charges of "corporate espionage."

The incident, which was captured by surveillance cameras, happened on Tuesday at the soon-to-open Miami Mr. Chow -- just across the street from Philippe Chow's restaurant.

Disguised as a chef, the 65-year-old spy tried to blend in while the kitchen staff was being briefed on the plans for the new restaurant, attorney Alan Kluger said.

When confronted by an executive chef, the spy said he was trying to appear "incognito," and so that "your boss will not notice," according to the lawsuit.

Philippe and his partner, Stratis Morfogen, discounted the allegations.

"This is beyond bizarre and at this point we have no further comment describing michael chow's delusional and paranoid state of mind," Morforgen said.