Famous Chef With Hudson Valley Ties Accused Of Sexual Harassment
In the seemingly never-ending cycle of celebrities revealed to be sexual harassers, the latest has a local connection. Celebrity chef Mario Batali, known for his daytime talk show The Chew, has been accused by multiple women of groping in a story on Eater New York.
Batali co-owns and operates two places in Port Chester - the Italian restaurant Tarry Lodge and the gourmet grocery store Tarry Market. Batali offered an apology, and it has been confirmed that he is stepping away from the operations of Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group, which services about two dozen restuarants owned by Batali and others.
Batali has also been removed, at least temporarily, from The Chew, as ABC reviews the allegations now that they have come to light. It's good that things are moving swiftly, and hopefully some justice can be won for the women who came forward. Batali is among the most powerful men in the culinary world, and he made the right move by immediately apologizing and stepping down. We'll see how this has an effect on his Port Chester eateries in due time.