Ten stands by embattled Masterchef judge George Calombaris
Celebrity chef and restaurateur George Calombaris may be generating headlines for all the wrong reasons, but he still has the support of Network Ten, where he features as a judge on its Masterchef program.
Calombaris is in the midst of a scandal after it was found his business underpaid his workers by $7.8m, and was fined just $200,000. There have subsequently been called for him to be ousted from Masterchef, however Ten has indicated this is not on the cards.
“George and Made Establishment have reached an agreement with the Fair Work Ombudsman in relation to this matter. George has the support of Network 10. We will not be making any further comment,” a Ten spokesperson told Mumbrella.
Nine-owned masthead The Good Weekend is also facing criticism, as it ran Calombaris on its cover over the weekend, with an image above his head similar to a halo.
Good Weekend editor Katrina Strickland admitted the cover story was terrible timing, noting the magazine had been put to bed before the ruling emerged.
Printed before this week’s news, and includes the previous findings. And is a broader story about mental health. Terrible timing yes.
— Katrina Strickland (@katrinastrick) 20 July 2019
“I know I know, George Calombaris on the cover. Not ideal – the perils of early print deadlines,” Strickland wrote on Instagram.
“But this cover story is not about George per se – it’s about an important issue in the restaurant industry: chefs, mental health, untimely deaths, and attempts at last to do something about it. To do nothing less than save lives.”
It’s not the first time the chef come television celebrity has been on the receiving end of negative publicity.
In 2017, he was charged with common assault following an incident at the A-League grand final. He was initially fined $1,000, however last year he had the conviction overturned. It is understood Calombaris lost around $750,000 in sponsorships and partnerships as a result of the assault and surrounding controversy.
I love George and I would hate to see him leave Masterchef, if he’s paid the workers back and paid the fines that should be it.
There will be lots of hospitality and cleaning company’s who are not paying the right pay
User ID not verified.
If any one of George Colambaris’ staff decided to take $100 from his till they would be instantly dismissed and face criminal charges.
Theft as a servant or from a position of trust is regarded as a more serious crime than throwing a brick through a windscreen and stealing a car stereo.
Saying ‘my bad, I made a bit of a mistake’ is completely unacceptable when it’s at $7.8million. Stealing from people who trust you. He should serve a custodial sentence.
He knew exactly what he was doing and is culpable.
User ID not verified.
He’s been through the courts, they’ve made their call, he’s paying for his crime under the provisions of the law. That should be enough. What is this need in our society today for seeking every last bit of vengeance from people for being human and making mistakes? None of us are perfect, we all do things that we’re not proud of. He’s paying for his crime, it’s time to move on.
And yes, his not being on MasterChef would be a loss for the many of us who still love George.
User ID not verified.
Hope he stays on Master Chef, he contributes so much to the show & all the contestants seem to love him.
User ID not verified.
George is a must on Masterchef. There is no excuse for underpaying staff but this can happen by accident, not knowing corrects awards etc. I did read that it was George who wanted it checked, he didn’t deny that it may have been the case. He has been to the Courts, decisions have been made and workers paid. How much do people want others punished? George the restaurant owner has paid for the oversight, this should not affect every area of his life. Where does it end?
User ID not verified.
Wouldn’t it be accountants who organise payroll payments- I doubt if George would have time to do all his company books – Get off his back mistakes were found, repayments and fined have been taken care of – What more do people want- It’s not like he declared bankruptcy and paid nothing at all
User ID not verified.
wont be watching c10 anymore nor my friends over overpayed [Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy] who underpay an do the wrong thing an get slap on the wrist shows where c10 stands on poor behaviour!!!!
User ID not verified.
You know this for sure, he was the one to report it to Fair Works.
User ID not verified.
He should absolutely be sacked from Chanel 10. Disgusted the board has not enforced it by now. Weak, pathetic, celebrity struck execs. who are in awe of a bit of parochial fame. Shame on you. Assault – extortion clearly a shocking example for a show watched my kids. My 16 ye old asked “why on earth have t they sacked him Mum he’s a thief AND a thug”! It’s about time to get a respected, honest new judge on this program and a female at that. Jobs for the lads is outdated Chanel 10 in case you had not noticed.
User ID not verified.