Oakland Chef Steps Down as 17 Women Accuse Him

Charlie Hallowell, the chef-owner of three popular and celebrated Oakland restaurants, is stepping away from day-to-day operations at his businesses in the face of numerous allegations of sexual harassment and verbal abuse of employees. Hallowell's restaurant group - which includes Pizzaiolo, Boot & Shoe Service and Penrose - has retained an outside human resources consultant to perform a full investigation into the company, Hallowell said in an email to The Chronicle Wednesday. Hallowell's action comes after 17 former employees accused him in interviews with The Chronicle of sexual harassment and pervasive verbal abuse.