Celebrity chef Mario Batali is finally out of the Eataly empire for good. The Italian food hall chain has officially cut ties with Batali nearly two years after the chef first faced allegations of sexual misconduct, Eater reported.
While Batali has reportedly not had any direct contact with the company since 2017, an Eataly spokesperson told the Associated Press that the brand has purchased Batali’s remaining minor interest stake, officially ending their relationship.
Earlier this year, Batali pleaded not guilty to a charge of criminal indecent assault and battery filed by a woman who claims the celebrity chef kissed and groped her without her consent at a bar near Eataly Boston back in 2017. Batali is awaiting a second court hearing related to the incident slated for August 30. The chef has also been accused of various other instances of sexual misconduct, including by three former employees, but May’s hearing marks the first time he has faced criminal charges.
Batali’s relationship with Eataly goes back to 2010, when the chef played a major role in opening the massive Italian food hall and market in Manhattan. The successful 50,000 square foot establishment eventually spawned other locations in Boston, Las Vegas, L.A., Chicago and downtown Manhattan. The chef’s branded products were pulled from Eataly’s shelves shortly after the sexual misconduct allegations first broke, and his business partners Lidia and Joe Bastianich cut ties with Batali in March.
While Batali is now officially out of business with Eataly, he does still retain a stake in the Spotted Pig, a restaurant owned by fellow alleged sex offender Ken Friedman.
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