Mario Batali Sued: Former Workers Sue Chef (Get it?)

By: Naimah Jabali-Nash
Topics: Daily Blotter

Mario Batali (GETTY IMAGES/Evan Agostini)

NEW YORK (CBS/AP) Renowned chef Mario Batali has been accused of being a money hungry boss by two employees who worked at his famed Greenwich Village eatery, Babbo.

Waiters Herman Ricardo Alvarado and Stephanie Capsolas reportedly filed a lawsuit against the former "Iron Chef" in a Manhattan federal court Thursday, accusing the management at the posh Babbo Ristorante Enoteca of cheating them out of their tips, reported the Daily News.

They claim that the rosy-cheeked Batali forced them to illegally divide their tips with employees who were not entitled to them. According to the suit, workers at the Italian eatery are also paid below minimum wage, forced to work overtime and work shifts that exceed 10 hours, reported the Daily News.

The class action lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.

Batali is an award-winning chef, known for his vivacious personality and Italian cooking expertise, as well as his signature fiery-red, slicked-back ponytail.

A Babbo Ristorante spokesperson declined to comment.

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by iluvssw May 11, 2011 7:30 PM EDT: I never watched Iron Chef when he was chosen because I couldn't stand to watch him sweating in the food. I am by no means a thin woman so I will just say that if it's the intention of Brian Frons to promote healthy lifestyles on Daytime he could not have chosen a worse celebrity Chef. All I can say is bye bye ABC once my Soaps are gone so am I.; Reply to this comment