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Celebrity Chef Mario Batali Accused of Sexual Harassment by Multiple Women
Hollywood Reporter ^ | December 11, 2017 | Abid Rahman

Posted on 12/11/2017 7:10:35 AM PST by EdnaMode

Four women made sexual misconduct allegations against 'The Chew' host. Celebrity chef Mario Batali has been accused of sexual harassment by multiple women.

In an Eater New York exposé published Monday, four women accused the chef of "inappropriate touching in a pattern of behavior that spans at least two decades."

On Sunday, without naming Batali directly, Anthony Bourdain tweeted that he knew who the chef was. Bourdain tweeted that "Monday is really gonna suck," and added in a follow-up tweet that "it’s where you stand when the people you care about and admire do awful things that matters. Keeping head down and hoping it goes away? No."

Batali, a presenter on ABC's The Chew and the author of over a dozen cooking-related books, rose to prominence after opening Italian restaurant Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca in New York City. Together with Joe Bastianich, Batali owns B&B Hospitality Group, which operates over 20 restaurants around the world. Batali recently opened the 60,000 square foot Eataly in Los Angeles.

In a statement to Eater, Batali said that he would step away from the day-to-day operations of his businesses for an unspecified period of time. ABC also asked the chef to step away from the show while the network reviews the allegations, a representative told Eater. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, an ABC spokesperson said, “We have asked Mario Batali to step away from The Chew while we review the allegations that have just recently come to our attention. ABC takes matters like this very seriously as we are committed to a safe work environment. While we are unaware of any type of inappropriate behavior involving him and anyone affiliated with the show, we will swiftly address any alleged violations of our standards of conduct.”

“I apologize to the people I have mistreated and hurt. Although the identities of most of the individuals mentioned in these stories have not been revealed to me, much of the behavior described does, in fact, match up with ways I have acted," Batali said. "That behavior was wrong and there are no excuses. I take full responsibility and am deeply sorry for any pain, humiliation or discomfort I have caused to my peers, employees, customers, friends and family."

His statement continued: “I have work to do to try to regain the trust of those I have hurt and disappointed. For this reason, I am going to step away from day-to-day operations of my businesses. We built these restaurants so that our guests could have fun and indulge, but I took that too far in my own behavior. I won’t make that mistake again. I want any place I am associated with to feel comfortable and safe for the people who work or dine there."

And Batali said: "I know my actions have disappointed many people. The successes I have enjoyed are owned by everyone on my team. The failures are mine alone. To the people who have been at my side during this time — my family, my partners, my employees, my friends, my fans — I am grateful for your support and hopeful that I can regain your respect and trust. I will spend the next period of time trying to do that.”


TOPICS: Food; Society; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: abc; anthonybourdain; arkancide; asiaargento; batali; bourdain; brianfallon; clintonbodycount; harveyweinstein; mariobatali; metoo; partsunknown; sexualharassment; thechew; workplace
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To: UCANSEE2

AltonBrownand some other dude


41 posted on 12/11/2017 7:37:07 AM PST by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds)
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To: daler

The people of Salem had a foolproof method of proving if you were a witch.

Dunk you under water and if you drowned you were NOT a witch!..............


42 posted on 12/11/2017 7:37:20 AM PST by Red Badger (Road Rage lasts 5 minutes. Road Rash lasts 5 months!.....................)
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To: UCANSEE2

“Geraldine,” played by Flip Wilson in center?


43 posted on 12/11/2017 7:37:22 AM PST by PghBaldy (12/14 - 930am -rampage begins... 12/15 - 1030am - Obama's advance team scouts photo-op locations.)
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To: EdnaMode

These are really minor allegations. You see worse than this at the average office party. Meanwhile Bill Clinton raped a woman and continues to enjoy Universal adulation.


44 posted on 12/11/2017 7:38:18 AM PST by montag813
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To: EdnaMode
Excuse me for a quick yawn.

Oops, not even able to work one up ...

45 posted on 12/11/2017 7:39:38 AM PST by glennaro
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To: Red Badger

He always wears shorts.


46 posted on 12/11/2017 7:39:41 AM PST by all the best
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To: allendale

“There has to be a very clear definition of “sexual harassment” that is understood and reflects the common consensus of reasonable people.”
You are absolutely right. Right now, it’s whatever a woman says it is, and the man is guilty every time. This needs to change.


47 posted on 12/11/2017 7:39:47 AM PST by I want the USA back (Liberalism is just another form of insanity.)
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To: Slyfox

Why did he trade shoes with the Mooch?


48 posted on 12/11/2017 7:46:37 AM PST by BykrBayb (Lung cancer free since 11/9/07. Colon cancer free since 7/7/15. Obama free since 1/20/17. PTL ~ Þ)
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To: EdnaMode

I’m pretty sure he was taken our of context...

“Chef Susan...rub my loin with some Butter-flavored Crisco.”


49 posted on 12/11/2017 7:53:53 AM PST by moovova
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To: UCANSEE2

“Who are the other two guys?”

One’s a famous cook...the other’s a famous kook.

(AND, I saw what you did there.)


50 posted on 12/11/2017 7:56:27 AM PST by moovova
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To: jersey117

My 81 year old mother & I were discussing this on Friday. Its a slippery slope & a he said, she said. One vindictive person can ruin an innocent life. There has to be a line between the serious & the why didn’t you say screw off. It is already to a point where people are thinking a lot of these are made up attention grabbers.

Genuine sexual harassment is going to be thrown in w/ the stuff and it’s going to get to a point where people will have tuned out


51 posted on 12/11/2017 8:00:33 AM PST by leaning conservative (snow coming, school cancelled, yayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!)
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To: allendale

There’s a reason why the Bible instructs to even “avoid the appearance” of bad behavior.

People like Pence may be slammed for not being with a woman not his wife alone, but it makes for a peaceful nights sleep.


52 posted on 12/11/2017 8:14:30 AM PST by Tea Party Terrorist (Why work for a living when you can vote for a living?)
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To: littleharbour

“Another successful, fat ugly dude who tried to leverage his fame to make time with women who, if not for that fame, wouldn’t give him the time of day. Seems to be a pattern.”

What about the ones on either side of him?


53 posted on 12/11/2017 8:50:19 AM PST by EQAndyBuzz (BANNON YOU MAGNIFICENT BASTARD!)
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To: Red Badger

Can’t stand him. Even before I learned of his politics.
Don’t like his food either.


54 posted on 12/11/2017 9:13:58 AM PST by Vinnie
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To: Vinnie

People who are demonstrable gluttons tend to want more more more of everything. The restaurant industry is a cesspool of iniquity; I’m surprised there haven’t been more accusations besides him and John Besh, who I previously thought seemed like a nice guy.


55 posted on 12/11/2017 9:21:15 AM PST by GnuThere
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To: EdnaMode

Always thought he was a Homosexual.


56 posted on 12/11/2017 9:22:59 AM PST by Ann Archy (Abortion....... The HUMAN Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
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To: Red Badger

ahem, I think you meant the fatter one.


57 posted on 12/11/2017 9:26:46 AM PST by LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget (God punishes Conservatives by making them argue with fools. Go Trump!)
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To: EdnaMode

All for 1 (one) Senator’s seat...


58 posted on 12/11/2017 10:06:59 AM PST by Dixie Yooper (Ephesians 6:11)
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To: EdnaMode

All for 1 (one) Senator...


59 posted on 12/11/2017 10:07:20 AM PST by Dixie Yooper (Ephesians 6:11)
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To: albie
This one I could believe. He’s a weird dude.

That was my first thought.

60 posted on 12/11/2017 10:11:05 AM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (Not a Romantic, not a hero worshiper and stop trying to tug my heartstrings. It tickles! (pink bow))
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