Mario Batali on leave from TV show and restaurant empire after 4 women allege sexual harassment

Batali has taken leave from his restaurants and co-hosting duties on ABC's "The Chew" after the website Eater reported Monday that four women, all unnamed, have accused Batali of sexual harassment. In the wake of the allegations, the Food Network announced it is putting plans to relaunch his seminal show, "Molto Mario," next year on hold. One woman described two instances where Batali made inappropriate and unwelcome physical contact with her, while the others alleged that Batali groped their breasts and buttocks at industry parties. Three of them worked for him, while the fourth has not but works in the industry.

I love Batali! He’s so intelligent and passionate about food and origins of food and cooking. I was even semi attracted to him just because of his impassioned intelligence, realizing, and let’s be clear, he’s not exactly my physical type. Haha. But did he really go nuts over Obama?! Because that would kill my attraction to him totally. (Please say no!;)

Elizabeth Falkner (on Chopped a lot), Susan Feniger (cake decorator, guest and judge), Here's some that either have a FN show or have been on as a judge or competitor - https://www.buzzfeed.com/jesseszewczyk/11-out-and-proud-leaders-redefining-the-food-industry?utm_term=.sbWE50GQ1#.teNB2jRAk . And https://www.autostraddle.com/top-15-gay-chefs-anne-burrell-joins-robust-legion-of-lesbian-celebrity-chefs-139164/

"Despite numerous gay and lesbian personalities on Bravo and Food Network, including Ted Allen of Chopped, Cat Cora of Around the World in 80 Plates, Elizabeth Falkner of Iron Chef, Susan Feniger of Too Hot Tamales, Anne Burrell of Worst Cooks in America, and Top Chef’s Art Smith, out chefs who work in the industry say they’re still in the minority." - Despite numerous gay and lesbian personalities on Bravo and Food Network, including Ted Allen of Chopped, Cat Cora of Around the World in 80 Plates, Elizabeth Falkner of Iron Chef, Susan Feniger of Too Hot Tamales, Anne Burrell of Worst Cooks in America, and Top Chef’s Art Smith, out chefs who work in the industry say they’re still in the minority." (All those have been on FN.

Guy Fieri (wearing a purple suit), officiated a multi-wedding celebrating Florida's legalization of gay marriage and Duff made the cake a couple years ago. Check out the number of gay contestants on Chopped, Guy's Grocery show and the holiday baking shows. There's a simply fabulous little guy, Jeff something, from Kentucky (?) who is to start a new show on NF.

Really? Oh, gosh, he was all gaga over them. He was all the time cooking for them and cooked their last (sniffle, sniffle) WH dinner. This from 2012.

Also, Paula Deen was in luuuve with them. During the 2008 campaign, she was supposed to have Moo and Mrs. McCain on for a cookie bake off, but she only had Moo. Then, the next campaign, she pulled the same crap only having Moo on. I wrote her off long before FN did. She refused to say anything against Smithfield Hams when they got in trouble for hiring illegals and continued on as their spokesperson.

“Elizabeth Falkner (on Chopped a lot)”

Not true. Once, maybe twice, in what must now be hundreds of episodes.

Guy Fieri is a great TV personality. He’s probably among the highest-rated TV food personalities nowadays. He must be, since Triple D is on dozens of hours per week, and Triple G is almost always fun to watch. “Guy’s Big Project: was a great reality show mini-series with a surprising outcome. Highly recommended for people who like food competition shows.

Honestly, I instinctively root against almost all who are overtly gay on “Chopped.” And they almost always lose...

Yeah, there are a lot of gays in the food industry. But the percentage who are successful is probably about the same as in any other industry.

And, really, who cares?

I have spent my entire life (70 yrs) in some form of hospitality. At my dubious peak, I owned three restaurants. Two in Atlanta and one in Florida. What absolutely amuses me is the term “Chef”. I can guarantee true “Chefs” are as rare as 40 year old virgins. The word is cook is more appropriate and most of them have a variety of problems. You would too if your life revolved around the “line”. Thank God, for retirement. :)

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