Mario Batali
Mario Batali was a sous chef at the Four Seasons Biltmore. Getty Images

Celebrity chef Mario Batali was expected to part ways with his businesses after being accused of sexual harassment and misconduct. Four women came forward and accused the television host of inappropriate touching in a report released Monday by Eater.

Batali, 57, is co-owner of Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group, a culinary empire that owns 26 restaurants, both in America and abroad. The famed chef has a net worth estimated between $25 and $30 million, according to Yahoo. Eater estimated in 2012 that his Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group was worth roughly $250 million. Batali himself has published 13 cookbooks and owns his own line of cookware while co-hosting ABC’s "The Chew."

The chef addressed the allegations in a statement released to Eater.

"I apologize to the people I have mistreated and hurt," he told Eater. "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. That behavior was wrong and there are 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."

Amid the allegations, Batali was expected to take a hiatus from "The Chew," which he has hosted since 2011. According to reports, his company has also opened an investigation into the incidents in question. However, he remains an owner of his individual restaurants. Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group said in a statement to Eater that it has had sexual harassment training and policies in place for over 10 years.

"We take these allegations very seriously. We pride ourselves on being a workplace for our employees where they can grow and deliver great service with equal opportunity and free from any discrimination. We have strong policies and practices in place that address sexual harassment. We train employees in these policies and we enforce them, up to and including termination," the statement read. "Mr. Batali and we have agreed that he will step away from the company’s operations, including the restaurants, and has already done so."