Celebrated chef Mario Batali is concluding the year on a rather bitter note, amid a handful of sexual harassment and assault allegations. Following this, the chef has been fired from his position at ABC’s daytime show The Chew, which Batali has been hosting since the show’s debut six years ago.

Batali’s Battle

Before news of Batali’s exit were made public, the chef had already distanced himself from the show and his restaurant business, B&B Hospitality Group, stating that reports of sexual misconduct “match up” to his behaviour.

“Upon completing its review into the allegations made against Mario Batali, ABC has terminated its relationship with him and he will no longer appear on The Chew,” an ABC spokesperson said in a statement.

“While we remain unaware of any type of inappropriate behaviour involving him and anyone affiliated with our show, ABC takes matters like this very seriously as we are committed to a safe work environment and his past behaviour violates our standards of conduct”, CBC News quoted.

Meanwhile, reacting to the allegation against the chef, The Food Network too has put on hold plans to relaunch Batali’s 1990s show Molto Mario in 2018. The network “takes matters like this very seriously,” it said in a statement.

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