Giada De Laurentiis Reveals Mario Batali’s Shocking Remarks

BREAKING: Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis opened up about her emotional reaction to shocking comments made by fellow chef Mario Batali, revealing that his remarks about her success left her in tears. During a recent appearance on Samah Dada’s YouTube show, “On the Menu,” De Laurentiis recounted how Batali attributed her achievements in the culinary world to her “big boobs.”

In a candid moment, De Laurentiis discussed the foreword Batali wrote for her 2005 cookbook, Everyday Italian. She expected his endorsement to be a major boost for her career, given Batali’s status in the culinary community. Instead, she was devastated by the implications of his words. “When I read it, I cried because I realized, ‘Oh, he’s basically saying that I’ve gotten to where I’ve gotten…because I have big boobs,'” she explained.

The emotional recounting reveals the troubling undercurrents of sexism in the culinary industry. De Laurentiis expressed her shock, stating, “To him, it was like a little bit of a joke.” This experience prompted her to contact her editor, “in tears,” asking, “So now what do I do?” Together, they decided to rewrite the foreword, sending it back to Batali for approval.

Despite the painful encounter, De Laurentiis emphasized the broader issue of how women in the industry are often perceived. “That’s basically what a lot of people figured — cute girl with big boobs, so that’s why they’re watching her,” she remarked.

The foreword ultimately published in her cookbook describes De Laurentiis as “smart, Italian-speaking, and family-oriented,” highlighting her culinary skills and vibrant personality, rather than reducing her to physical attributes.

Batali’s legacy has been marred by serious allegations of sexual misconduct that surfaced in December 2017. Following numerous accusations, he settled lawsuits in May 2022 regarding sexual assault claims, one of which featured prominently in a #MeToo-era prosecution that ended in his acquittal.

In the wake of these revelations, Batali was removed from his position on ABC’s “The Chew,” and the Food Network halted plans to air episodes of his show, Molto Mario. He was also bought out of his company, B&B Hospitality Group, as the fallout from the allegations continued.

De Laurentiis, who gained fame through her long-running show Everyday Italian, has since moved on from the Food Network, launching her latest cookbook, Super-Italian, and focusing on her lifestyle brand, Giadzy.

This latest revelation sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by women in the culinary field and highlights the need for a continued dialogue about respect and recognition in the industry. De Laurentiis’ experience resonates deeply, serving as a reminder of the obstacles many women still encounter today.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.