When George Calombaris left MasterChef Australia in 2020, it ended an 11-year run for one of the show’s most familiar faces. The reason — a $7.8 million wage underpayment scandal involving over 500 workers — reshaped his career and public image overnight.
Amount underpaid: $7.8 million (515 workers) ·
Maximum penalty: $200,000 ·
MasterChef tenure: 11 years (2009–2020) ·
Restaurants closed after scandal: 4 ·
Current role: Culinary ambassador and brand partner
Quick snapshot
- Underpaid 515 staff over $7.8 million (ABC News)
- Fined $200,000 (ABC News)
- Closed all restaurants (Wikiwand)
- Sacked from MasterChef Australia in 2020 (A Current Affair / Nine Network)
- Exact current marital status (no official confirmation of divorce or separation)
- Cause of hand tremors (speculated essential tremor, no medical source)
- Net worth figures (multiple estimates, no verified source)
- Continued brand partnerships (Moffat, Blu Cookware) — not independently confirmed
- Possible media appearances, no confirmed TV return
Five key facts about George Calombaris, one pattern: the public record shows a clear timeline from business success to regulatory action, followed by a low-profile rebuilding phase.
This table outlines his core attributes at a glance.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | George Dimitrios Calombaris |
| Occupation | Chef, restaurateur, television personality |
| Known for | Judge on MasterChef Australia (2009–2020) |
| Controversy | MAdE Establishment underpayment scandal (2020) |
| Underpayment period | 2011–2017 (ABC News) |
| Venues involved | Press Club, Gazi, Hellenic Republic, Jimmy Grants (ABC News) |
| Penalty type | Court-enforceable undertaking + $200,000 contrition payment (ABC News) |
| Current status | Culinary ambassador and brand partner (since 2023) |
What happened with George Calombaris?
The story begins with an internal review by MAdE Establishment, Calombaris’s hospitality group, which identified payroll issues. The company then notified the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO), the Australian workplace regulator. The FWO’s investigation found that more than 500 current and former employees had been underpaid a total of about $7.8 million for work performed between 2011 and 2017 (ABC News, Australian public broadcaster). The underpayments stemmed from annualised salary arrangements that were not correctly applied and missed overtime and penalty rates. Named venues included Press Club, Gazi, Hellenic Republic and Jimmy Grants.
In response, Calombaris issued a public apology, saying the group would “be a force for change in the industry” (ABC News). He sold his restaurant group and stepped away from day-to-day operations. The FWO required independent audits of pay and conditions annually until 2022 (ABC News).
Calombaris’s business model — built on premium dining and a celebrity chef brand — collapsed once its wage practices were exposed. The regulatory action forced him to exit the industry he helped shape.
The implication: the underpayment scandal ended Calombaris’s restaurant career in Australia. He closed all four venues and sold the MAdE Establishment group.
How much money did George Calombaris owe?
The total backpay disclosed by MAdE Establishment was about A$7.8 million, covering 515 workers. In addition, the company agreed to a A$200,000 contrition payment under a court-enforceable undertaking with the Fair Work Ombudsman (ABC News). The repayment plan was structured through wage audits and backpayment schedules, with the first wave of $2.6 million backpaid to 162 employees as early as 2017 after earlier discrepancies were found (ABC News).
The penalty, while significant, was not a court-imposed fine but a voluntary contrition payment. Critics argued it was relatively small compared to the scale of underpayment. The FWO’s enforcement outcome required that MAdE Establishment commission independent audits until 2022 to ensure compliance.
The $200,000 penalty is dwarfed by the $7.8 million owed. Under Australian workplace law, employers can face greater penalties for serious contraventions, but in this case, a proactive disclosure led to an enforceable undertaking rather than litigation.
What this means: the financial cost to Calombaris was substantial — the combined backpay and penalty exceeded $8 million — but the reputational damage proved far more lasting.
Why did George get sacked from MasterChef?
In July 2020, Network 10 announced that Calombaris would not return as a judge for the next season of MasterChef Australia. The decision followed public backlash after the underpayment revelations became widely known. A former employee had publicly called for Calombaris to lose his MasterChef role (ABC News). The network stated that Calombaris had chosen to step away, though media reports framed it as a firing (A Current Affair / Nine Network).
Calombaris had been a judge since the show’s revival in 2009, making him one of its most recognisable figures. His departure was a major blow to the brand — MasterChef Australia’s highest-rated years were those featuring the original panel of Calombaris, Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan. After the scandal, the network replaced him with a rotating roster of guest judges.
“A former employee publicly called for Calombaris to lose his MasterChef job after the underpayment revelations.” — ABC News
The pattern: the underpayment scandal destroyed Calombaris’s television career because the brand of MasterChef — family-friendly, aspirational cooking — was incompatible with a host accused of wage theft.
What is George Calombaris doing now?
In 2023, Calombaris was appointed Greek Culinary Ambassador by The FNL International (Fonterra, dairy cooperative). In 2024, he served as the savoury mentor for Proud to be a Chef’s 25th anniversary program, a role facilitated by Fonterra. The organisation described him as “one of the world’s most decorated chefs” (Fonterra).
He maintains an active social media presence on Instagram and Facebook, posting food content and personal updates. According to a 2024 television interview with A Current Affair, Calombaris has rejected the label “wage thief” and said the scandal “flipped his world on its head” (A Current Affair / Nine Network). Brand partnerships with Moffat and Blu Cookware are mentioned on his social channels but have not been independently verified.
What is George Calombaris doing in 2025?
As of 2025, Calombaris’s public-facing work consists primarily of culinary ambassador roles and brand endorsements. There is no indication of a return to restaurant ownership or a major television role. His Instagram profile describes him as “Culinary Ambassador & Founder of The MAdE Group” — a reference to his now-dissolved restaurant group.
The trade-off: Calombaris has rebuilt a modest public profile through partnerships and mentoring, but he has not reclaimed the national celebrity status he held before the scandal.
Is George Calombaris still married?
Calombaris married his long-time partner, fashion designer Natalie Tricarico, in 2015. As of 2025, there has been no official confirmation of a divorce or separation, and the couple continues to appear together in some social media posts. However, no authoritative source has verified their current marital status.
Why do George Calombaris’ hands shake?
During television appearances, Calombaris has exhibited visible hand tremors. Media speculation attributes this to essential tremor, but no medical source has confirmed or denied this. In interviews, Calombaris has not directly addressed the condition.
Did George Calombaris gain weight?
Photographs from 2024 and 2025 show Calombaris with a fuller appearance than during his MasterChef years. Speculation about weight gain has appeared in tabloid commentary, but there is no verified medical or official statement on the matter.
Why this matters: personal details about Calombaris that lack independent verification should be treated as unconfirmed. The public interest in his personal life is a by-product of his former fame, but the reliable record is limited.
Timeline of key events
Six dates, one trajectory: the timeline reveals a rapid rise followed by a sudden fall and a slow, partial recovery.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2000s | Opens first restaurants, builds MAdE Establishment group (Wikiwand) |
| 2009 | Becomes judge on MasterChef Australia (Wikiwand) |
| 2011–2017 | Underpayments occur across multiple venues (ABC News) |
| July 2019 | Fair Work Ombudsman reveals $7.8 million underpayment, $200,000 penalty (ABC News) |
| 2020 | Sells restaurants, departs MasterChef Australia (A Current Affair) |
| 2023 | Appointed Greek Culinary Ambassador (Fonterra) |
The gap between 2020 and 2023 represents a period of near-total public absence for Calombaris. His re-entry through a corporate ambassador role suggests a deliberate pause, not a quick return.
What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Underpayment of $7.8 million to 515 workers (ABC News)
- Penalty of $200,000 (ABC News)
- Left MasterChef in 2020 (A Current Affair)
- Closed all restaurants (Wikiwand)
- Appointed Greek Culinary Ambassador in 2023 (Fonterra)
What’s unclear
- Exact current marital status (no official confirmation of divorce or separation)
- Cause of hand tremors (speculated essential tremor, no medical source)
- Net worth figures (multiple estimates, no verified source)
Quotes from key figures
“The Fair Work Ombudsman found annualised salary arrangements were not correctly applied for some staff.” — ABC News, quoting Fair Work Ombudsman
“I am deeply sorry for what has happened and I take full responsibility. We will be a force for change in the industry.” — George Calombaris, 2019 public apology (via ABC News)
“It flipped my world on its head.” — George Calombaris, interview with A Current Affair (2024)
Two contrasting voices — one from the regulator, one from the chef — underline the gap between legal findings and personal narrative.
Conclusion
George Calombaris’s story is one of rapid ascent followed by a public fall and a gradual, low-profile rebuilding. The underpayment scandal cost him his restaurants, his television career, and his reputation as a celebrity chef. In 2025, he operates primarily through brand ambassador roles and social media, a far cry from the MasterChef days. For Calombaris, the path forward depends on whether the Australian public can separate the chef from the scandal — but the court of public opinion has already delivered its verdict.
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The details of George Calombariss wage scandal reveal how the chef’s career unraveled after the underpayment revelations.
Frequently asked questions
Does George Calombaris have a Michelin star?
No. George Calombaris has never been awarded a Michelin star. His restaurants in Australia — Press Club, Gazi, Hellenic Republic — received positive reviews but did not earn Michelin recognition. Michelin does not cover Australia as part of its guides, though global culinary awards exist.
What was the financial penalty for the underpayment?
MAdE Establishment agreed to a $200,000 contrition payment under a court-enforceable undertaking with the Fair Work Ombudsman. The total backpay to workers was about $7.8 million (ABC News).
How many restaurants did George Calombaris own?
At his peak, Calombaris owned and operated four restaurants under the MAdE Establishment group: Press Club, Gazi, Hellenic Republic and Jimmy Grants. All were closed after the underpayment scandal (Wikiwand).
Is George Calombaris still involved in cooking?
Yes, in a limited capacity. He serves as a culinary ambassador and mentor for programs such as Proud to be a Chef (2024) and is active on social media sharing food content. He is not currently running a restaurant (Fonterra).
What is George Calombaris’ age?
George Calombaris was born in 1978, making him 46 or 47 years old as of 2025 (exact birth date not publicly confirmed). Wikiwand lists his birth year as 1978.
Did George Calombaris issue a public apology?
Yes. In 2019, Calombaris apologised publicly and said his group would become “a force for change” in the hospitality industry (ABC News).
Is George Calombaris still married?
There has been no official confirmation of a divorce or separation from his wife, Natalie Tricarico. The couple appears together in some social media posts as of 2025, but their current marital status remains unverified.
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Reviewly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.