6 of the biggest celebrity chef scandals of all time

Erin McDowellMar 4, 2021, 01:04 IST

Paula Deen was dropped from the Food Network after she was accused of racist actions and using racial slurs.Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

Paula Deen was dropped from the Food Network after she was accused of racism.
Martha Stewart served prison time after being convicted of charges involving claims of insider trading.
Other chefs have been sued by former employees for mistreatment and issues with their wages.

Like any other kind of celebrity, famous chefs aren't immune from facing scandals, serious accusations, and even jail time.

Martha Stewart served a prison sentence for one count of conspiracy following a stock sale, two counts of making false statements to authorities, and one count of obstruction of agency proceedings, according to PBS. Stewart has since regained her place as one of the foremost celebrity chefs in the business and even received an Emmy nomination for her hit show alongside Snoop Dogg, "Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party."

Other chefs, like Paula Deen and Mario Batali, have never truly been able to recover their reputations.

Here are six of the biggest celebrity chef scandals.

Robert Irvine admitted that he lied on his resume about being a British knight and cooking for multiple US presidents.

Chef Robert Irvine cooks at the 2014 Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival. Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

Martha Stewart served five months in prison after making false statements to investigators about a stock sale.

Martha Stewart. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for MSC Cruises

Paula Deen was dropped from the Food Network after she was accused of racist actions and using racial slurs.

Paula Deen. John M. Heller/Getty Images

Restaurant workers accused Mario Batali and his business partner of skimming their tips and paying unfair wages. Then, in 2017, multiple women accused Batali of inappropriate behavior.

Chef Mario Batali at Eataly's grand opening on August 31, 2010, in New York City. Associated Press

Restaurant workers accused Mario Batali and his business partner of skimming their tips and paying unfair wages. Then, in 2017, multiple women accused Batali of inappropriate behavior.

Anne Burrell was sued by former employees who said she called female workers foul names.

Anne Burrell. Cheetos

Geoffrey Zakarian was sued by employees who said he'd lied about pay records, failed to pay overtime wages, and made unauthorized deductions from their paychecks.

Geoffrey Zakarian. Manny Hernandez/Getty Images

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6 of the biggest celebrity chef scandals of all time

Robert Irvine admitted that he lied on his resume about being a British knight and cooking for multiple US presidents.

Martha Stewart served five months in prison after making false statements to investigators about a stock sale.

Paula Deen was dropped from the Food Network after she was accused of racist actions and using racial slurs.

Restaurant workers accused Mario Batali and his business partner of skimming their tips and paying unfair wages. Then, in 2017, multiple women accused Batali of inappropriate behavior.

Anne Burrell was sued by former employees who said she called female workers foul names.

Geoffrey Zakarian was sued by employees who said he'd lied about pay records, failed to pay overtime wages, and made unauthorized deductions from their paychecks.