FOOD NEWS
Here Are The Biggest Scandals Food Network Ever Faced
by Mashed Staff
Ina Garten
Ina Garten, host of Food Network's "Barefoot Contessa," comes off as the sweet grandmother everyone wishes they had but turned down Make-A-Wish twice.
A 6-year-old battling cancer dreamt of cooking with her but was turned down due to Garten’s busy schedule. He was given the same rejection excuse a year later when he tried again.
Mario Batali
Chef Mario Batali may be a culinary guru, but 117 of his employees filed a 2010 class action lawsuit against him, claiming he skimmed 4 to 5% of their tips.
In a settlement, Batali agreed to pay $5.25 million to all the employees named in the lawsuit and any others who lost tips due to Batali's skimming.
Mario Batali
A sexual harassment scandal in 2017 threatened end Mario Batali's career when four women accused him of inappropriate touching. Batali didn't deny the allegations.
In a statement to Eater, he took full responsibility for his actions. He apologized, but that was diminished when he used his situation as a publicity opportunity.
Anne Burrell
In 2009, chef Anne Burrell was sued for discriminating against female employees at West Village restaurant Centro Vinoteca by calling them sexually degrading names.
Burrell also reportedly made remarks about their cleavage and openly commented on their sex lives. When they complained, Burrell allegedly had them fired.
Robert Irvine
Chef Robert Irvine’s resume was impressive, boasting things like a British knighthood, cooking for four former U.S. presidents, and a friendship with Prince Charles.
When it was revealed in 2008 that Irvine substantially padded his resume, the host left "Dinner Impossible" in disgrace — until he apologized, some time passed, and he was rehired.