Mario Batali takes aim at Bieber over mop bucket incident

TV chef Mario Batali has added his name to the growing list of Justin Bieber critics, insisting the pop star's recent public urination incident in the kitchen of a restaurant is further proof the hitmaker needs "a wake-up call".

Bieber was recently caught on a cell-phone camera peeing into a mop bucket as he exited a New York diner and his gross action has upset leading figures in the culinary arts.

Outspoken chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain has already lashed out at Bieber, tweeting, "The chef should have put his foot up this young punk's a**," and adding, "My dishwasher ain't cleaning that up, squirrel balls!"

Now cook and TV talk show host Batali, who has fronted cooking and travel shows with pal Gwyneth Paltrow, has waded into the drama.

Appearing on CNN show Piers Morgan Tonight on Thursday (25Jul13), which Bourdain was guest hosting, Batali said, "I would have brutally kicked his (Bieber's) a**. That's not just being funny and flip - that's actually peeing on somebody's workplace. That's odd. That's weird... I think he just needs a wake-up call.

"I don't think he's an evil kid... (but) you can't defend that."

Bieber has yet to fully own up to the urination incident, but he appeared to show remorse for the controversy after the footage surfaced online on 10 July (13) by tweeting, "In life u (you) will make mistakes and people will try and tear u down... but u gotta stay positive. Stay strong.. and learn to be better... and... always live to serve others and The Lord. Growing every day."