Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

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
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-67 last
To: GnuThere
I worked, in high school, for a famous Restaurant owner as a busboy. The place was like a cat house everyone was screwing someone else unmarried of course.

I was molested several times by some of the female staff, not that I minded. Looking at the cooking trades over the last 60 years it seems rather common.

61 posted on 12/11/2017 10:43:29 AM PST by Little Bill (VN 65 - 68)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: EdnaMode

So old Super Mario likes to have his meatballs fondled. And now he’s so, si sorry. Could happen to a nicer conservative-hating, Obama dump kissing guy.


62 posted on 12/11/2017 10:49:16 AM PST by Noumenon (Irony: Those who tell us we don't need a border wall whIle living in gated communities.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EdnaMode

Add him to the list of democrat abusers....

Poster:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQiTZrdVAAEXwaB.jpg


63 posted on 12/11/2017 10:51:46 AM PST by GOPJ (Liberal elite women trading sex for pomotions is abuse of decent traditional women.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Slyfox

That is one weird-fitting dress on that creature in the middle


64 posted on 12/11/2017 10:54:40 AM PST by bkopto
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Little Bill

Unlimited sex, drugs, food and alcohol - what could possibly go wrong?


65 posted on 12/11/2017 11:18:44 AM PST by GnuThere
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: EdnaMode

BTT


66 posted on 12/11/2017 12:06:05 PM PST by GailA (Ret. SCPO wife: suck it up buttercups it's President Donald Trump!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Slyfox

I can’t speak to the pic with Mooch in it. But the other is “Creepy and Kooky, Mysterious and Spooky”


67 posted on 12/11/2017 1:50:17 PM PST by wbill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-67 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson