Chefs speak out on allegations as consequences mount
As women come forward to accuse Mario Batali of sexual harassment and the restaurateur steps down from B&B Hospitality Group, people within the industry have begun to speak out on the allegations.
On Monday, actress Siobhan Thompson became the first person to identify herself as an alleged Batali victim, tweeting that the chef was “very handsy” when she worked at his restaurant Del Posto.
I worked at Del Posto (his fanciest restaurant in NYC) and can confirm that not only was Mario Batali very handsy, they would often serve us pasta with cut up hot dogs as family meal. Bye bish https://t.co/nZsXHcpAGq
— Siobhan Thompson (@vornietom) December 11, 2017
Lmao dude I’ve been telling anyone who would listen for years. Sorry I didn’t come to ur moms house to tell you personally? https://t.co/8vLQAbRhIX
— Siobhan Thompson (@vornietom) December 11, 2017
Anthony Bourdain was vocal on Twitter leading up to Monday’s news, and Tom Colicchio added “And no one should be surprised.”
No. Trust me. Monday is really gonna suck .
— Anthony Bourdain (@Bourdain) December 11, 2017
And no one should be surprised https://t.co/DCLvDzNYwO
— Tom Colicchio (@tomcolicchio) December 11, 2017
Women in the industry also chimed in with a lack of surprise.
So no, @Bourdain, today doesn’t suck. Today is the most wonderful day of the year for those who have been hurt by Batali, and all the other men just like him.
— Allison Robicelli (@robicellis) December 11, 2017
No one is untouchable. We won’t be bullied into silence. We expect to be heard from now on. https://t.co/k7wg7bJFar
I know many women with a Batali story. I’ve heard dozens of stories throughout my career. And all the male leaders of this industry are shocked by this? Are you fucking kidding me? You stand up for us NOW?
— Allison Robicelli (@robicellis) December 11, 2017
OMG a male chef accused of harassing women?!!!? What a shocker. I was the only female among 8 men in 1 kitchen... that was, um, fun?
— Ninamarie Bojekian (@ChefNinamarie) December 12, 2017
Women called him “The Red Menace”
— alison roman (@alisoneroman) December 11, 2017
This is a disappointing, disgusting & sad day for a lot of people, but what's worse is that it's been a disappointing, disgusting & sad work reality for women in the restaurant industry for a long time.
— Kat Kinsman (@kittenwithawhip) December 11, 2017
From a great chef @porchettanyc : "the restaurant industry which I love very much... is unfortunately a deeply exploitative industry, not just of women but also of illegal immigrants and if we are going to address it lets make sure to address that too."
— Lorea Canales (@loreac) December 12, 2017
Amen sister.
Meanwhile, men in the industry are calling on each other to join the conversation about sexual harassment. New York Times restaurant critic Pete Wells is among them.
This is another day when leaders in the restaurant biz have an opportunity to tell us what they believe in.
— Pete Wells (@pete_wells) December 11, 2017
Chef Matthew Jennings is opening his restaurant as a space for a discussion on sexual harassment in the industry.
Boston. I’m offering my restaurant as a space to come together and talk about sexual harassment in our industry. Just industry. No press. An opportunity to talk. Email me if you’re interested. Thinking January. We need to heal and we need to stay positive. [email protected]
— Matthew Jennings (@matthewjennings) December 11, 2017
Batali had long been known for supporting the careers of female chefs and restaurateurs. Earlier this year, Melissa Rodriguez was named the first female chef of Del Posto, and many of B&B Hospitality Group’s Los Angeles restaurants have women at the helm.
According to a report from NBC News, Batali has also stepped away from The Chew in light of Monday’s accusations.
There is also a petition for Target to stop selling Batali’s cookware line.
Contact Leigh Anne Zinsmeister at [email protected]
Follow her on Twitter: @LeighAnneZin
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