George Calombaris spent 12 years as a familiar face on MasterChef Australia, but his reputation took a severe hit when a wage underpayment scandal came to light. The fallout cost him his restaurant empire, his TV role, and millions of dollars.
Net worth (estimated 2025): A$500,000 – A$2 million · MasterChef Australia tenure: 2009 – 2019 (12 years) · Wage underpayment scandal total: A$7.8 million in wages and entitlements · Penalty imposed by Federal Court: A$200,000 · Number of restaurants closed post-scandal: All five · Current role (2025): Chef at Cleaner Future Australia (Instagram bio)
Quick snapshot
- Underpaid 515 staff a total of A$7.8 million (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia))
- Federal Court penalty of A$200,000 (The Age (Melbourne newspaper))
- All his restaurants closed by 2021 (Greek Herald (Australian Greek community news))
- Exact net worth (estimates vary between A$500,000 and A$2 million)
- Specific residential address (only general location known)
- Whether he will return to TV or open new restaurants
- 2009–2019: Judge on MasterChef Australia
- July 2019: Steps down from MasterChef
- October 2020: Federal Court imposes A$200,000 penalty; repays A$7.8 million
- 2021: Last restaurant closes; sells Toorak home
- Active on Instagram as chef for Cleaner Future Australia (Greek City Times (community news site))
- Reportedly relocated to Sydney for a new hospitality project called Gazi (Greek City Times (community news site))
- No new TV or restaurant announced as of mid-2025 (Greek City Times (community news site))
Six key facts about George Calombaris at a glance:
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | George Dimitrios Calombaris |
| Born | 1978 (exact date not confirmed publicly) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Chef, former restaurateur, TV personality |
| Spouse | Natalie Calombaris (née Triantafyllou), married 2012 |
| Children | 1 |
What has happened to George Calombaris?
Overview of the wage underpayment scandal
- In 2019, Calombaris’s company MAdE Establishment admitted underpaying 515 current and former employees a total of A$7.83 million (The Age (Melbourne newspaper)). An additional A$16,371 was owed to nine workers of related company Jimmy Grants Pty Ltd.
- The Fair Work Ombudsman launched an investigation that led to an enforceable undertaking requiring training, audits, and a public apology (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia)).
- His restaurant empire collapsed into administration in early 2020, leaving 12 venues closed and about 350 employees out of work (Greek Herald (Australian Greek community news)).
The implication: what began as a TV success story unravelled in under two years, costing Calombaris his entire business portfolio and public standing.
Timeline: from MasterChef to court
The scandal was not a single mistake but a systemic underpayment over six years. Calombaris later admitted full responsibility in media statements.
- 2009–2019: Judge on MasterChef Australia (Network 10) (The Age)
- July 2019: Calombaris steps down from MasterChef — Network 10 called it a mutual decision (Wikipedia)
- October 2020: Federal Court imposes A$200,000 penalty; company repays A$7.8 million to workers (The Age)
- 2021: Last of his restaurants closes; sells Toorak mansion for about A$2.5 million (Greek Herald)
What this means: the timeline shows a swift downfall, but Calombaris did not face criminal charges — the penalties were civil.
Why did George Calombaris leave MasterChef?
The scandal’s impact on his TV role
Calombaris stepped down from MasterChef Australia in July 2019, just before details of the underpayment scandal became public. Network 10 stated the departure was mutual and not directly linked to the investigation (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia)). He was replaced by a rotating roster of guest judges including Nigella Lawson.
According to a 2026 Daily Mail report, the underpayment scandal contributed to the end of his long run on the show (Daily Mail (UK tabloid)). However, his official exit was announced before the scandal broke, leaving his departure open to interpretation.
Calombaris wasn’t fired — he left before the scandal became public, which allowed both him and the network to frame it as a career move rather than a consequence.
The pattern: timing suggests the scandal didn’t force his exit, but it sealed his inability to return.
Did George Calombaris pay his staff?
Repayment to employees
Yes — Calombaris’s company repaid A$7.8 million in wages and entitlements to 515 workers. The repayment was part of an enforceable undertaking with the Fair Work Ombudsman (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia)). In addition, the company paid a A$200,000 contrition penalty to the Australian Government.
Legal consequences and fines
- The Fair Work Ombudsman took legal action and secured the enforceable undertaking in October 2020.
- The undertaking required Calombaris’s company to train staff, conduct audits, and issue apologies (The Age (Melbourne newspaper)).
- According to New Idea (Australian women’s magazine), he later admitted to underpaying employees over a six-year period and took full responsibility.
The catch: while the repayment was significant, the penalty was relatively modest — and the business collapse meant many workers lost their jobs regardless.
What is George Calombaris doing now?
Current professional activities
As of mid-2025, Calombaris runs an Instagram account (@gcalombaris, 487K followers) where he describes himself as a chef for Cleaner Future Australia, an environmentally focused food venture (Instagram (verified account)). He has not announced new restaurants or TV shows.
According to Greek City Times (community news site), he has moved from Melbourne to Sydney and is working on a hospitality project called Gazi. A 2026 New Idea profile confirmed the relocation with his family.
Calombaris’s return to Sydney’s restaurant scene faces public skepticism. Any new venture will be scrutinised for compliance and transparency — the stain of the underpayment scandal is not easily washed away.
The challenge: rebuilding trust with the public and industry while operating under heightened scrutiny.
What is George Calombaris’ net worth?
Estimated wealth after the scandal
Net worth estimates for 2025 range from A$500,000 to A$2 million — a steep drop from the millions he once controlled. Most of his fortune was consumed by legal fees, business debts, and the A$7.8 million wage repayment (The Age (Melbourne newspaper)).
Assets and property
- He sold his Toorak mansion in 2021 for about A$2.5 million (The Age).
- He now reportedly lives in a smaller property in Sydney (Greek City Times (community news site)).
The trade-off: Calombaris went from multi-millionaire restaurateur to a middle-class chef working on a new start — a harsh reset caused by the underpayment scandal.
Where does George Calombaris currently live?
Residence after selling Toorak home
After selling his Toorak house, reports indicate he relocated to a smaller property in Melbourne before moving to Sydney. According to Greek City Times (community news site), he and his wife Natalie and their child are now based in Sydney. A 2026 New Idea (Australian women’s magazine) profile describes the move as an official permanent relocation.
His social media geotags occasionally show posts from Victoria, but his Instagram bio lists no fixed location. The exact address is not publicly known.
Who is George Calombaris’ wife?
Natalie Calombaris
George Calombaris married Natalie Triantafyllou in 2012. She is a former model and now a businesswoman. They have one child together, whose name has not been publicly disclosed. As of 2025, they remain married and have relocated to Sydney (Greek City Times (community news site)).
Timeline of key events
- 2009–2019: Judge on MasterChef Australia (Network 10) (The Age)
- 2017–2020: Fair Work Ombudsman investigation into underpayment at his restaurants (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia))
- July 2019: Calombaris steps down from MasterChef (The Age)
- October 2020: Federal Court imposes A$200,000 penalty; repayment of A$7.8 million to workers (Wikipedia)
- 2021: Last of his restaurants closes; sells Toorak home for ~A$2.5 million (Greek Herald (Australian Greek community news))
- 2025: Active on Instagram as chef for Cleaner Future Australia; reported move to Sydney for Gazi project (Greek City Times)
This timeline shows a rapid collapse followed by a slow and cautious recovery.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Underpaid 515 staff by A$7.8 million (Federal Court ruling) (The Age)
- Repaid the full amount plus A$200,000 penalty (Wikipedia)
- Left MasterChef in 2019 (The Age)
- Married Natalie Triantafyllou in 2012 (Greek City Times)
- All restaurants closed by 2021 (Greek Herald)
What’s unclear
- Exact current net worth (estimates vary widely)
- Specific current residential address (only general location known)
- Whether he will return to TV or open new restaurants
- Full details of his Cleaner Future Australia role
Key statements from the people involved
“The Fair Work Ombudsman discovered that MAdE Establishment Pty Ltd underpaid 515 employees a total of $7.83 million.”
— Fair Work Ombudsman statement, 2019 (The Age)
“I am deeply sorry for what has happened. We self-reported and have repaid more than $7.8 million in back pay.”
— George Calombaris, 2020 media statement (The Age)
“George has decided to step away from MasterChef. This is a mutual decision and we thank him for his contribution.”
— Network 10 spokesperson, 2019 (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia))
The pattern across these statements: a regulator focused on restitution, a chef expressing remorse, and a network sidestepping direct blame. Together, they paint a picture of a fall driven by systemic underpayment, not personal malice.
For George Calombaris, the road ahead is narrow: he must rebuild trust with the Australian public and the hospitality industry while facing continued scrutiny of his financial and professional conduct. The alternative — permanent obscurity — is a real risk if his Sydney venture fails to meet compliance and public expectations.
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Frequently asked questions
What was George Calombaris’ salary on MasterChef?
Exact figures were not publicly disclosed, but as a judge on a top-rating show he reportedly earned well into six figures annually.
How many restaurants did George Calombaris own?
At its peak, his restaurant group included five venues: Press Club, Hellenic Republic (multiple locations), Jimmy Grants, and Gazi. All closed by 2021 (The Age).
Did George Calombaris go to jail?
No. The case was a civil matter under the Fair Work Act. He faced no criminal charges and received no jail time.
What is Cleaner Future Australia?
A food venture focused on sustainable, environmentally friendly cooking. Calombaris lists himself as a chef for the company on his Instagram profile.
Is George Calombaris still married?
Yes. He married Natalie Triantafyllou in 2012, and they have one child together. As of 2025, they remain married and have relocated to Sydney (Greek City Times).
Does George Calombaris have any Michelin stars?
No. He has never been awarded a Michelin star for any of his restaurants.
How tall is George Calombaris?
His exact height is not publicly confirmed. Various online sources estimate around 5’10” (178 cm), but no official record exists.
Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Report, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.