Mario Batali Is Accused Of Sexual Harassment

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

That's right ladies and gentlemen, another great personality falls from the top before accusations of improper sexual behavior towards various damsels. This time it was the turn of the famous chef and businessman Mario Batali, who was accused by four women of sexual harassment, this was announced today by Eater.

According to the publication, so far it is known that three of the four plaintiffs worked for Batali and another one worked in the kitchen industry. One of the accusers said that exactly a decade ago during a party, the chef tripped over her and spilled coffee on her shirt, Batali took the opportunity to caress his chest and told him to let him help him. Instantly the woman turned away from the cook. Two other women recounted similar events, as Batali also allegedly touched their breasts. Another of those affected by her part, confessed that the businessman took her from behind and pressed her against him.

So far, none of the victims has wanted to reveal their identity, according to them for fear of retaliation. "He has always had a clear intention to hide his inappropriate behavior," said one of the complainants. “The level of revenge is chilling. So it never occurred to me to share what happened.”

The chef who owns 24 restaurants and co-host of The Chew program accepted his misconduct and apologized through a statement to Eater. “I apologize to the people whom I have mistreated and hurt. Although the identities of most of the people mentioned in these stories have not been revealed to me, many of the behaviors described coincide, in fact, with the ways in which I have acted,”he wrote. That behavior was wrong and there are no excuses. I accept all responsibility and I am deeply sorry for the pain, humiliation or discomfort that I have caused to my colleagues, workers, clients, friends and family.”

In fact, not only have the women's accusations come to light, as Steve Crane, a former Batali partner, also revealed that many of the workers told him on different occasions that the chef had behaved inappropriately while making comments they were risque. Crane confessed that after talking to the cook about the incidents, he adopted an aggressive and arrogant attitude towards employees who had complained about his behavior.

After this bomb exploded, a spokesperson for the Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group told Eater that the story came to light exactly two months ago, when one of the Batali employees reported that she had been harassed by the chef, who was asked him to change his behavior.

Similarly, the company, through a statement, promised to carry out a deeper investigation to find out if there have been other similar cases. “We take these allegations very seriously. We are proud to be a safe place for our workers, an environment where they can grow with equal opportunities and feel free from any discrimination. We have strong policies to punish any inappropriate behavior, "the statement read. “Our employees are aware of these standards and we invite you to report any inappropriate behavior. To which they add: Mr. Batali and we [the rest of the company's partners] have agreed that it is best to move away from the company's operations, which include restaurants, immediately.”

And of course Batali had no choice but to say goodbye. “I have work to do to try to win back the trust of those whom I have hurt and disappointed. For this reason, I have decided to separate myself from the day to day of my business. We built these restaurants so that our guests could have fun and pamper themselves, but I took it too far with my behavior. I will not make this mistake again, "Batali said in his statement. "I want people who work or eat anywhere that is associated with me to feel comfortable and safe."

The chef will also leave The Chew, a program he has co-hosted since 2011. "We have asked Mario Batali to distance himself from The Chew as we review the allegations that have recently caught our attention," a spokesman for the program said in a communicated to People. “ABC Network takes things 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 or any person affiliated with the program, we will promptly address any suspected violation of our standards of conduct.”

In itself, this is not the first scandal in which Batali has been involved; In the past, the chef went to court for keeping tips from his employees. The joke came to him in over $ 5 million that he had to pay to end the legal dispute.

Batali was born in Seattle, where he was a dishwasher in a pizzeria and little by little he went up to become a cook. He has been married since 1995 to Susi Cahn, with whom he has two children.