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Famous TV Chef Settles Ugly Lawsuit for More Than $5 Million

Mar 12, 2012  •  Post A Comment

One of the most famous TV chefs has agreed to a hefty settlement in a legal dispute over restaurant workers’ tips, according to the Associated Press.

Mario Batali, a Food Network star currently on ABC’s "The Chew," and his business partner Joseph Bastianich agreed to pay $5.25 million to resolve a dispute about their alleged practice of taking 4% to 5% from the tip pool at the end of each night’s business, the report says.

One career waitress told TVWeek, "This is the ugliest thing I’ve heard. Never in my career have I heard a restaurant owner skimming money off the top of the tip pool. Owners just don’t do that."

The settlement will compensate 1,100 waiters, captains and other restaurant staff who received the reduced tips. Batali’s Manhattan eateries are Babbo, Bar Jamon and Del Posto, according to the article.

Bastianich is also a familiar TV face, appearing as a judge on the Fox series "MasterChef," alongside Gordon Ramsay.

3 Comments

  1. Can I get my money back after eating at one of his lousy restaurants in Vegas

  2. Can I get my money back after eating at one of his lousy restaurants in Vegas?

  3. Can I get my money back after eating at one of his lousy restaurants in Vegas?

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