Sandra Lee, Ben Youcef.Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images; Michael Bezjian/WireImage
Sandra LeeandBen Youcefare continuing to spend time together.
However, a source tells PEOPLE that any news about their relationship status is “just rumors.”
“They are really enjoying each other, but it is just rumors for now,” the source says.
As for how their relationship started, a source previouslytold PEOPLEthat “they became friends when they met at a Santa Monica restaurant in March.”
“Meeting each other during COVID was challenging,” the source added. “He’s become her friend and loving confidante quickly.”
Youcef, 42, is a nonprofit interfaith leader, as well as a father of two. He separated from his wife in 2019, before they later filed for divorce in January 2020. “He seems to be a good match as he has a deep understanding of all of Sandra’s worlds from her professional life to her dedicated focus on family and commitment to philanthropy,” the source said.
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Sandra Lee.Daniele Venturelli/Getty
Lee and Cuomo were together for 14 years before announcing their split in September 2019.
“I think she needed someone completely different from Andrew,” a close friend of the chef previously told PEOPLE. “It took her two years for her to even consider dating again as she wanted to be sure she could make herself happy and to heal before she brought someone in her life.”
Charlotte Triggs
source: people.com
