(Photo: Monica Schipper/Getty Images)

You know how it is: You’re reading through yet another story about a powerful, respected man deciding to cash in all that power and respect in order to sexually harass (or worse) the women around him, and you start to feel those 3 p.m. hunger pangs start kicking in. Don’t worry, friend: World-famous restaurateur—and admitted harasser and groper of women—Mario Batali has you covered, in the form of a cinnamon roll recipe he inexplicably seems to have included in his latest public apology to fans.


As reported by Buzzfeed, the missive appears to have gone out via Batali’s regular newsletter, and includes a long mea culpa in which Batali states, “I have made many mistakes and I am so very sorry that I have disappointed my friends, my family, my fans and my team. My behavior was wrong and there are no excuses. I take full responsibility.” So far, so good, as far as the Matt Damon ranking of harassment apologies go. But then Batali apparently decided that a post-script trip to flavortown was in order, adding, “ps. in case you’re searching for a holiday-inspired breakfast, these Pizza Dough Cinnamon Rolls are a fan favorite,” followed by a recipe link.

Some people have intimated that this sudden shift into cookbook land suggests Batali—who was recently booted from ABC’s The Chew, and who has said he’s stepping back from his other professional duties in the wake of the accusations—might not be taking the allegations against him entirely seriously. It’s definitely a tone-deaf move, an easily-interpreted sign that the chef might think his culinary contributions make up for his alleged character flaws and the harmful actions he’s reportedly taken toward the women in his life.