Celebrity chef Michael Chiarello is arrested in Napa at 3:30am on DUI and drugs charges

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The chef was arrested in Napa County, California, a couple of miles from his restaurant, Bottega
He was arrested on driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance charges
A spokesman said he apologizes to his family and friends but plans to fight the charges
The arrest comes mere days after he settled a sexual harassment lawsuit with two former servers

By Associated Press and Regina F. Graham and Kiri Blakeley For Dailymail.com

Published: 19:38 EDT, 3 November 2016 | Updated: 01:31 EDT, 4 November 2016

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Celebrity chef Michael Chiarello has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and drug possession in Napa County.

The California Highway Patrol says Chiarello, 54, was arrested after his Porsche Boxster was stopped around 3.30am Wednesday on Silverado Trail.

The area is a couple of miles from Yountville, where Chiarello has a restaurant, Bottega.

Chef Michael Chiarello, of Bottega restaurant gesturing before the start of an East meets West cooking battle in St. Helena, Calif. Chiarello was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and drug possession in Napa County

Chiarello was booked and released on driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance charges.

The chef's spokesman, Terry Fahn, released a statement saying the chief was embarrassed and apologizes to his family, friends and business colleagues but that 'he intends to vigorously challenge the misdemeanor charges filed against him,' according to The Los Angeles Times.

Chiarello is known for his 'Easy Entertaining' show on the Food Network and appearing on the popular cooking reality show Top Chef Masters.

Chef Michael Chiarello is shown at the Far Niente winery in Oakville, California

He was arrested days after settling a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by two former servers at his San Francisco restaurant, Coqueta.

The servers also accused him of not paying wages, and a hearing for that lawsuit is set for next month, according to the outlet.

In March, he faced two lawsuits alleging sexual harassment and refusal to pay his employees their due wages.

Two former servers of Chiarello's high-end tapas restaurant Coqueta filed lawsuits in San Francisco Superior Court, alleging a work environment that was hostile and sexually charged.

The famous chef was arrested only a couple of miles from his restaurant Bottega, above

Attorney Kelly Armstrong, who filed the lawsuits on behalf of Katherine Page and Asja Sever, told the San Francisco Chronicle that the women hoped to 'send a strong message that this type of treatment will not be tolerated'.

One lawsuit says Chiarello crudely likened martinis to breasts and once said: 'Martinis are like t**s, one is too few, three is too many.'

He also allegedly told managers to only hire people they found sexually desirable.

In another incident, the lawsuit claimed Chiarello held a baguette to his crotch in an overly suggestive manner and stroked it in full view of his employees.

In addition, the lawsuit alleged he compared a sandwich on his menu to a vagina.

The suit also accused various chefs and managers of inappropriate touching and making remarks that were sexually abusive, racist and homophobic.

A second lawsuit by the women is a class-action complaint alleging that the restaurant didn't pay the women and others for all the hours they worked, including overtime.

The women, who worked at the restaurant for more than a year before filing the lawsuit, also claimed they and others were denied meal breaks and rest periods.