Celebrity chef Mario Batali denied yesterday that execs at the Food Network are taking him off the broadcast menu, insisting he’s not being replaced on the wildly popular “Iron Chef America” show.
“I’m taping ‘Iron Chef America’ next week,” he said.
But a network source said “this is a face-saving measure [for Batali]. He and another chef will be replaced after the new season begins Nov. 18.”
New “Iron Chefs” will be selected in a pre- season special competition next month.
“It’s time for a change – it happens all the time,” said the source. “That’s showbiz.”
The grand-master chef, who started with the Food Network in 1996, was told none of his previous series would be renewed, but execs have kept it under wraps, the source said.
Batali, who owns a slew of New York City eateries, including Babbo, Lupa, Esca and the Spotted Pig, continued to stir the pot, maintaining that his association with the food channel is “the same as it’s always been.”
The network, however, said the only Batali shows to air will be rehashes – but conceded that he may be featured on future “Iron Chef” episodes.
“We haven’t done Molto Mario in 2½ years,” Batali said. But it lives on as a rerun, according to the channel’s schedule. braden.keil@nypost.com