Chef Calombaris Recounts COVID Lockdown Struggles and Legal Battles

Former MasterChef Judge Details Personal Crisis and Past Controversies

Star chef **George Calombaris** has opened up about a difficult period during Melbourne’s extended COVID-19 lockdowns, revealing a descent into daily drinking that culminated in a concerning incident.

A Crisis Point

Confined to his home for nearly two years, **Calombaris** described feeling adrift with no work and little to do, leading him to start drinking daily. This continued for three months until a distressing night where he drove off without knowing his destination.

“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.”

—George Calombaris

His brother’s intervention proved crucial. “And that was a moment, he really slapped it out of me and went ‘Enough is enough’,” **Calombaris** recalled.

Past Legal Issues Addressed

The chef’s candid admission comes after a period of significant public scrutiny. His company, Made Establishment, faced penalties for underpaying staff. The group eventually repaid wages and superannuation, and was fined a $200,000 “contrition payment”.

Addressing the wage controversy, **Calombaris** had previously stated the issues affected a portion of their workforce. “We went to Fair Work, we owned up and we paid,” he said.

Assault Charge and Appeal

Separately, **Calombaris** faced an assault charge following an altercation with a fan at an A-League grand final, allegedly related to the wage scandal. While initially convicted, the assault charge was overturned on a 2018 appeal.

The legal proceedings were costly, both financially and personally. “It was six months of pain, you know. I had to go in and out of court three times, hire one of the best KCs of the time,” he shared, estimating the financial impact through lost endorsements at around $3 million. “I would have rather taken that 3 million and given it to charity.”

The Australian hospitality sector, like many globally, faced immense challenges during the pandemic. Data from industry group Restaurant & Catering Australia indicates that by mid-2022, over 20% of hospitality businesses were still struggling with staffing shortages, a persistent issue post-lockdowns (Source: Restaurant & Catering Australia, 2022).