Mario Batali apologises for sexual misconduct with recipe for cinnamon rolls

Disgraced chef Mario Batali has been criticised for belittling allegations of sexual misconduct made against him by ending an email in which he takes “full responsibility” for his actions over the past two decades with a recipe for cinnamon rolls.

Chef Mario Batali

Batali had already stepped down from his restaurant empire and been fired from ABC’s cooking-based talk show The Chew in light of the allegations, following a report first published by New York’s Eater on Monday. Four women have made allegations against the chef over incidents spanning two decades, with more since coming forward.

Batali had already admitted that the claims “match up” with his behaviour, despite not knowing his accusers, but yesterday issued a second statement, this time published via his own newsletter, in which he not only apologises to fans and takes “full responsibility” for his actions, but offers them a recipe for cinnamon rolls.

The statement read: “I have made many mistakes and I am so very sorry that I have disappointed my friends, my family, my fans and my team. My behaviour was wrong and there are no excuses. I take full responsibility. Sharing the joys of Italian food, tradition and hospitality with all of you, each week, is an honour and privilege. Without the support of all of you – my fans – I would never have a forum in which to expound upon this. I will work every day to regain your respect and trust – mb.”

He then ended with an incredulous sign-off that has left the internet baffled and bemused, given the sensitive subject matter.

“P.S In case you’re searching for a holiday-inspired breakfast, these pizza dough cinnamon rolls are a fan favorite.”

The chef has since been slammed online for failing to apologise to his victims, and belittling the allegations with a frivolous recipe suggestions.

“A 30 for 30 on how Mario Batali came to the decision that posting a cinnamon roll recipe with an apology responding to sexual harassment allegations was a good idea,” New York Times culture writer Sopan Deb tweeted.

Batali co-owns restaurants in New York City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Boston, Singapore, Westport, Connecticut and New Haven, Connecticut under Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group, which he founded in 1998 with restaurateurs Joe Bastianich and Lidia Bastianich.

Its restaurants include the flagship Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca in Greenwich Village, as well as Lupa, Esca, Casa Mono, Tarry Lodge, and Del Posto – the only four star Italian restaurant in New York.

Batali also co-owns Eataly in New York, the Eataly Italian market concept founded by Italian businessman Oscar Farinetti in 2007, which has since grown from a converted Vermouth factory in Turin to include venues in New York, Chicago, Milan Copenhagan and Dubai, to name a few.

Batali’s newsletter apology