Heavyweight chef Mario Batali was accused today of illegally lightening the paychecks of workers at his Babbo restaurant.
Two ex-employees filed suit against the pony-tailed former “Iron Chef America” and “Molto Mario” star, claiming they were cheated out of wages and overtime payments while working at the Greenwich Village eatery.
Stephanie Capsolas and Hernan Ricardo Alvarado — who served as a waitress and kitchen runner, respectively — also say they were illegally forced to carve up their tips with other workers who weren’t entitled to share in the gratuities.
Their class-action, Manhattan federal court suit seeks unspecified damages for themselves and all other “similarly situated” co-workers at the Italian-style dining room.
“It is sad to see a prestigious employer line his pockets with money belonging to the little guys,” said the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Maimon Kirschenbaum.
In addition to Batali and Babbo’s corporate parent, the suit targets co-owner Joseph Bastianich, son of public-television chef Lidia Bastianich.
A staffer at Babbo directed questions to Batali’s personal assistant, who said: “Joe and Mario are both out of town on summer vacation and cannot be reached for comment.”