Rock Bottom!

Mario Batali Bails out of Restaurants After Sexual Assault Allegations

Disgraced chef accused of sexual assault in December 2017!

Mario Batali Gives Up Restaurants After Sexual Abuse Scandal
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It seems disgraced chef Mario Batali has hit rock bottom! Back in December 2017, the 58-year-old was accused of sexual assault by women who had worked for him in the past, and now, he’s giving up all his renowned restaurants following the scandal.

Mario “will no longer profit from the restaurants in any way, shape or form,” said Tanya Bastianich Manuali, who will head day-to-day operations at a new company, as yet unnamed, created to replace the Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group.

The NY Times reports that the new company will house the current group’s remaining 16 restaurants. On top of that, Mario is also selling his shares of Eataly. “Eataly is in the process of acquiring Mr. Batali’s minority interest in Eataly USA,” said Chris Giglio, a spokesman for that company.

At the time of the accusations over one year ago, the former star of The Chew admitted to the accusations against him — and apologized for the wrongdoings. “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.

“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.”

Mario concluded, “I know my actions have disappointed many people. The successes I have enjoyed are owned by everyone on my team. The failures are mine alone. 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.”