Latest news with #GreekAustralian
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Ex-MasterChef judge George Calombaris reveals true extent of his alcohol addiction
Former MasterChef Australia star George Calombaris has revealed how a series of scandals lost his company $3 million and led to a private battle with alcohol addiction. The Greek-Australian chef joined the cooking show as a judge in 2009 and quickly became a fan favourite both on-screen and off. He went on to build a multimillion-dollar hospitality empire in the years that followed, but back-to-back scandals saw it take a massive financial hit. In 2017, the celebrity chef was involved in an altercation with a fan at the A-League grand final, and in 2019 he admitted to underpaying approximately 500 of his current and former employees $7.8 million in wages over a six-year period. That same year, Calombaris and fellow judges Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan left MasterChef after 12 seasons over contract negotiation breakdowns, and when the pandemic hit in 2020, Calombaris found himself at rock bottom. Now in candid interview with Ouzo Talk, Calombaris details his spiral into alcohol addiction, which all came to a head when his brother found him drunk in his car one night. 'After Covid hit, I'm suddenly sitting in Melbourne, which is shut for now two years, sitting with my pyjamas on … looking at my phone going there's no emails, there's nothing to do (and I) start drinking daily,' the star chef said. 'I'll never forget three months down the track I lost it one night. I got in my car, drove down the road, I don't know where [I was]. My brother found me pissed as a fart. 'And that was a moment, he really slapped it out of me and went enough is enough.' Calombaris and his Made Establishment group of companies have since paid back its staff's wages and superannuation. His company was also fined a $200,000 'contrition payment' at the time. 'We love in Australia [to] never let the truth get in the way of a good story,' Calombaris previously said in a statement. 'The truth of the matter is that we overpaid and underpaid 51 per cent of our crew and 49 per cent of them, we had 550 team members and we found the problem.' 'We went to Fair Work, we owned up and we paid.' As the scandal made headline news, the famed restaurateur was also charged with assault after he was seen shoving a 19-year-old fan at the A-League grand final, while allegedly being heckled about the wage controversy. The chef successfully had his conviction for assault overturned in a 2018 appeal and a judge imposed a 12-month good behaviour bond while stricking the criminal conviction from his permanent record. 'It was six months of pain you know, I had to go in and out of court three times, hire one of the best KC's of the time,' Calombaris said in the podcast. 'I reckon it cost around 3 million bucks that, in loss of endorsements … Ridiculous, stupid, I would have rather taken that 3 million and given it to charity.'
SBS Australia
25-04-2025
- Politics
- SBS Australia
Election voices from multicultural Melbourne's west: Where the candidates stand
Politician who spoke the SBS Greek during the SBS Election Exchange, Broadmeadows Central, April 2025 Like Western Sydney, Melbourne's western suburbs are among the most multicultural regions in Australia. Thousands of Greek Australians live across the key federal electorates of Calwell, Fraser, and Maribyrnong. SBS invited current and prospective MPs and Senators to a special event at Broadmeadows Central on Wednesday, April 23, offering them a platform to share their views and answer community questions. While SBS extended an invitation to candidates from the Liberal Party, they were unable to attend. The Fraser electorate includes suburbs like Footscray, Yarraville, Sunshine, and St Albans. Labor MP Daniel Mulino spoke with SBS Greek, highlighting the Albanese government's efforts to bring inflation down, which he said will gradually lead to lower interest rates—an important issue for households with mortgages. He also pointed to reduced medicine costs, tax relief measures, and a planned return to pre-pandemic migration levels. Mr. Mulino emphasized his ongoing engagement with migrant communities, including the Greek Australian community. Running against him in Fraser is Greens candidate Huong Truong , who said her party's top priority remains climate action. She also highlighted the housing crisis as the electorate's most pressing concern. Ms. Truong called for tax reform targeting large corporations and said Greek Australians in the area have told her they're ready for change and to move away from the major parties. In Calwell The Calwell electorate covers suburbs including Craigieburn, Broadmeadows, and Campbellfield. Cypriot Australian MP Andrew Theophanous was first elected here in 1984 for Labor. In 2001, Maria Vamvakinou took over the seat and served until recently, opting not to recontest this election. Labor's new candidate is her former staffer, Bassem Abdo, who couldn't attend the SBS event. Independent candidate Joseph Youhana spoke to SBS Greek, criticizing Labor's dominance in Calwell, which he says has led to neglect of the area. He hopes no party secures a majority so independents can play a key role in shaping government policy. He believes his Christian values and work in humanitarian and nonprofit organizations will resonate with Greek Australians. Also running in this election is former Victorian MP Fiona Patten, now head Senate candidate for the Legalise Cannabis Party . Ms. Patten said she was the first elected official in Victoria to advocate for cannabis decriminalization and believes much more can be achieved at a federal level. She hopes to bring her parliamentary experience and track record on social justice, equality, and human rights to Canberra. She expressed pride in representing an area with so many Greek Australian families. In the same electorate, Maria Bengtsson is running for Family First . With roots in Croatia and Sweden, she supports continued use of coal for electricity until better alternatives emerge and wants more greenfield land released for housing development. She attributes the cost-of-living crisis to Australia's shift toward renewable energy. In Maribyrnong The Maribyrnong electorate, covering suburbs like Essendon, Ascot Vale, Tullamarine, and Keilor, has been held by former Labor leader Bill Shorten since 2007. Mr Shorten has announced his retirement from politics. Labor's new candidate, Jo Briskey , believes the Albanese government's initiatives—such as cheaper medicines, better wages, and free TAFE education—are improving Australians' quality of life. Greens candidate Uncle James Williams , a proud Wakka Wakka Elder, is also contesting the seat. He believes tackling supermarket price manipulation is key to addressing the cost of living. He proposes capping public transport fares at 50 cents and hopes Labor doesn't secure a majority, giving the Greens more leverage in Parliament. Finally, Greek Australian and Brimbank Councillor Virginia Tachos spoke to SBS Greek about local concerns, including traffic congestion, gaps in public transport, a lack of mental health programs, and issues in aged care services. Share this with family and friends Independent news and stories connecting you to life in Australia and Greek-speaking Australians. Stories from Australians who served in World War II, including some who are no longer with us.
