Celebrity chef and restauranteur Mario Batali is taking a leave of absence as co-host of ABC’s “The Chew” after four women came forward to accuse him of sexual harassment.
“We have asked Mario Batali to step away from The Chew while we review the allegations that have just recently come to our attention,” an ABC spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter. “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.”
Food Network has halted plans to relaunch Mr. Batali’s Italian cooking series, “Molto Mario,” over the allegations, Variety reported.
“Food Network takes matters like this very seriously and we are putting relaunch plans for Molto Mario on hold,” the network said in a statement.
The website Eater reported Monday that four women have accused Mr. Batali of inappropriate touching in a “pattern of behavior” that spanned at least two decades. Three of the women reported that they were working for Mr. Batali when the offenses took place, while the fourth is a fellow chef.
In a statement to Eater, Mr. Batali said he is also stepping away from the day-to-day operations at his Batali and Bastianich Hospitality Group, which operates 25 restaurants worldwide.
“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,” he said, in part. “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.
“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,” he said, declining to specify how long that period might be.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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