Chef Mario Batali has largely stayed away from the cameras following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and his firing from “The Chew” in late 2017, but on Friday he appeared in a Boston court and showed off his dramatic weight loss.
Batali, 58, was in court to plead not guilty to a charge that he forcibly groped and kissed a woman at a restaurant in 2017. New court photos of the chef show his slimmed-down appearance in dark blue jeans and a bright purple sweater over a blue oxford paired with a pinstriped blazer.
His ensemble failed to include his signature orange Crocs. Instead, the disgraced restaurateur swapped his Crocs for a pair of Yeezy 350 V2s in a steeple gray/beluga/solar red colorway, which originally retailed for $220.
The woman alleging to be the groping victim told authorities that in March 2017, Batali groped her breasts, buttocks and groin and kissed her face after posing with her for a photograph.
Batali has denied wrongdoing.
“He intends to fight the allegations vigorously and we expect the outcome to fully vindicate Mr. Batali,” said his lawyer, Anthony Fuller.