Celebrity chef Mario Batali, whose career fizzled after several women accused him of sexual assault and harassment, pleaded not guilty Friday to forcibly kissing and groping a woman at a Boston restaurant.
The Seattle-born Batali, 58, wore his signature red ponytail and blazer — but ditched his familiar orange Crocs in favor of Adidas Yeezy sneakers — for his appearance at Boston Municipal Court.
A not-guilty plea to indecent assault and battery was entered on his behalf. Judge Thomas Horgan told Batali to “stay out of trouble” and ordered him to stay away from his alleged victim, Natali Tene, 28.
Batali responded by saying “yes�� in a soft voice before being released on his own recognizance. He did not comment to reporters. The next hearing in the case was set for July 12, but Batali won’t be required to appear.
If convicted, Batali could face 2½ years behind bars and would have to register as a sex offender.
Tene has filed a civil case against Batali seeking unspecified damages for “severe emotional distress.”
“Mario Batali abused his celebrity status… while taking the photograph, Mario Batali groped her breasts, buttocks and genitals and kissed her repeatedly without consent,” her lawyer, Eric Baum, said in a statement. “He must be held accountable criminally and civilly for his despicable acts.”
Tene has said she was with a friend at the since-shuttered Towne Stove and Spirits — not far from Batali’s restaurant Eataly — on Boylston Street in 2017 when she noticed Batali sitting nearby, NBC News reported.
Tene said she took a selfie with him over her shoulder, according to an incident report.
Batali noticed and called her over, the report said. Tene apologized for taking the selfie, but the chef told her it was fine and offered to take another picture with her. When she got close, Batali grabbed Tene’s breast and buttocks before touching her groin over her clothing and “held her face” as he kissed her on the cheek and mouth.
“The victim realized Batali was intoxicated by the smell and half closed eyes,” according to the incident report.
He then invited Tene to join him at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, where he said he was staying, but she declined, the report said.
An attorney speaking on Batali’s behalf said the chef denies all the allegations leveled by Tene.
“The charges, brought by the same individual without any new basis, are without merit. He intends to fight the allegations vigorously, and we expect the outcome to fully vindicate Mr. Batali,” Anthony Fuller said.
Batali has faced a raft of allegations since December 2017, but this was the first time he has been formally charged.
The chef premiered on the Food Network in 1997 on the show “Molto Mario” and in 2011 helped launch the cooking show “The Chew” on ABC.
In December 2017, ABC fired him after four unnamed women accused him of sexual misconduct they alleged spanned at least two decades. The Food Network had also canceled plans to relaunch “Molto Mario.”
At the time, Batali said about those allegations that “much of the behavior described does, in fact, match up with ways I have acted.”
The NYPD also launched a probe after CBS’ “60 Minutes” reported in May 2018 that Batali drugged and sexually assaulted an employee in 2005. He denied the report and police ultimately closed the investigation.
With Post wires