Renowned chef and former MasterChef Australia judge George Kalombaris has spoken with brutal honesty about the collapse of his business empire and his struggle with alcoholism.
In an interview on the Greek-themed podcast Ouzo Talk, the Greek-Australian chef revealed he lost over $3 million and ended up “blind drunk” in a car with no destination. “Three months after the lockdown, I lost it. My brother found me — and said, ‘Enough is enough.’”
His downfall began in 2017, when his company, Made Establishment, was found to have underpaid 515 employees. While the debt was initially reported at $2.6 million, the true figure later ballooned to $7.8 million over six years.
That same year, he was also accused of assaulting a fan at the A-League final — a charge later dropped, but which cost him $3 million in advertising and legal fees. “If I had it, I’d give it to charity,” he said.
Within six months, his 13-year hospitality empire was voluntarily liquidated.
Now based in Sydney, Kalombaris is finding renewed purpose with his restaurant Gazi, originally from Melbourne and now located in Darlinghurst. “I love Melbourne, but Sydney energises me.”
Despite the setbacks, Kalombaris says he’s moving forward — with honesty, passion, and a fierce will to rebuild.
