Mario Batali is the latest celebrity to face accusations of sexual harassment. The renowned chef and Emmy winner is reportedly taking leave from his company B&B Hospitality Group as a result and has been asked by ABC to step down from the network’s lifestyle series, “The Chew.”
Eater editor Serena Dai joined Cheddar to discuss her exclusive story.
“There’s a pattern for a lot of these,” she said. “A lot of these women are alleging he would come up and grope them or touch them in an inappropriate way, completely unaware…These women are alleging this wasn’t a matter of seduction, there was no lead-up, he was visibly intoxicated.
“One woman...is alleging she complained about it, and afterward the behavior just got worse and there was retaliation.”
Eater reported Monday that four women have accused Batali of groping or harassing them over the last two decades. His hospitality company received a formal employee complaint as recently as two months ago.
“The Chew” co-host did not deny the allegations and, while the identities of the women were not revealed, said reports matched up with his past behavior.
“I apologize to the people I have mistreated and hurt,” he told Eater in a statement. “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.”
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/mario-batali-stepping-away-from-empire-after-allegations-of-sexual-misconduct).
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