Alright, let’s talk about a big shift in the culinary world. Celebrity chef Mario Batali, known for his fiery personality and Italian flair, has decided to step away from all his restaurants. This decision comes more than a year after multiple accusations of sexual misconduct surfaced, involving women who used to work with him. It’s a move that marks a significant chapter in his career and legacy.

Goodbye to the Batali Era: A New Beginning

Here’s the scoop: Mario Batali is no longer going to profit from his restaurants—period. Tanya Bastianich Manuali, who’s taking the reins of a new company (still unnamed), announced this major change on March 6. She’ll be steering the ship for day-to-day operations, replacing the Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group. For 20 years, Mario worked side by side with the Bastianich family, but now it’s time for a clean slate.

A New Company, A Fresh Start

According to the New York Times, this new company will oversee Mario’s remaining 16 restaurants under fresh management. Not only is he leaving behind the restaurants, but he’s also selling his stake in Eataly, a chain of upscale Italian supermarkets. Think about it—Mario once had restaurants all over the map, from bustling cities like New York, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles to international hotspots in Italy, Hong Kong, and Singapore. But now, his name won’t be tied to any of them anymore.

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A Look Back: The Fallout Begins

Let’s rewind to December 2017, when the chef—who’s married with two kids—faced a reckoning after four women accused him of sexual misconduct. He admitted to his mistakes in a statement, saying, “I apologize to the people I have mistreated and hurt. Although the identities of most of the individuals mentioned in these stories have not been revealed to me, much of the behavior described does, in fact, match up with ways I have acted.”

He went on to acknowledge that his actions were wrong and that there were no excuses. “I take full responsibility and am deeply sorry for any pain, humiliation, or discomfort I have caused to my peers, employees, customers, friends, and family,” he admitted. At the same time, he was fired from The Chew, a show where he was a long-time host.

Mario added, “I know my actions have disappointed many people. The successes I have enjoyed are owned by everyone on my team. The failures are mine alone. To the people who have been at my side during this time—my family, my partners, my employees, my friends, my fans—I am grateful for your support and hopeful that I can regain your respect and trust. I will spend the next period of time trying to do that.”