Mario Batali is stepping away from his co-hosting job at ABC’s The Chew amid accusations from four women that celebrity chef sexually harassed them. As Deadline reports, the accusations were first detailed in an article for Eater New York with several women saying Batali had inappropriate touched or groped them either while in his employ or after. These accusations span more than two decades.
Batali pictured second from the right.
Batali, who is also stepping down from his restaurant business, said in a statement, “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. 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.” Meanwhile, 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.”