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Why George Calombaris ISN’T on Plate of Origin

There's a new foodie trio in town! - by Erin Doyle
  • 01 Sep 2020

For a decade, it was would have been bizarre to imagine TV chefs Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston without George Calombaris by their side – such was the pull of the MasterChef trio.

But times are a changing and after being axed from their plum gigs on Network Ten, Gary and Matt switched to Channel Seven for new show Plate Of Origin.

WATCH: Tearful George Calombaris breaks down over wage theft scandal

For the new series, they teamed up with My Kitchen Rules’ Manu Feildel (sans longtime co-star Pete Evans) and both MasterChef and George remained in the rear-view mirror.

So what expired to lead some of the most well-known Aussie TV chefs to team up while George was left in the dust?

Below, New Idea gives a detailed explainer on the situation.

Plate Of Origin

From left: Gary Mehigan, Manu Feildel and Matt Preston have teamed up for Channel Seven's Plate of Origin.

Channel Seven

Why are Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston no longer on MasterChef?

In July last year, Aussie TV fans were shocked when Network Ten unexpectedly announced all three of MasterChef’s judges, Matt, Gary and George, wouldn’t be returning to the show. They had been at the helm since 2009.

"Despite months of negotiation, 10 has not been able to reach a commercial agreement that was satisfactory to Matt, Gary and George,” Network Ten chief executive officer Paul Anderson said in a statement.

MasterChef old judges

In a shock announcement in July last year, Network Ten revealed (pictured from left) George, Matt and Gary would not return to MasterChef.

Network Ten

"Across 11 sensational seasons, MasterChef Australia has established itself as one of the most popular and respected cooking television series around the world. For more than a decade, the iconic series has shaped and driven the Australian public's passion for food and cooking, delivered iconic television moments, and made the culinary dreams of everyday home cooks come true.

"We would like to thank Gary, George and Matt for their contribution over the past 11 years."

The judges were later replaced with Melissa Leong, Andy Allen and Jock Zonfrillo.

MasterChef new judges

The judges were replaced with (pictured from left) Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo.

Network Ten

What did George Calombaris do?

While Gary and Matt were still marketable personalities, a spate of scandals surrounding George garnered considerable backlash.

The TV personality came under fire in 2017 for underpaying his restaurant staff. His company Made Establishment promised in September that year to fork out $2.6million in unpaid wages to his staff.

The same year, George hit the headlines again when he assaulted a 19-year-old man at an A-League Grand Final in May 2017 and footage was made public of George screaming at the soccer fan and punching him in the abdomen. The chef later pleaded guilty and was fined $1000 but the conviction was later overturned on appeal.

George Calombaris court

George faced court for sentencing after assault charges in 2017.

Getty

In 2018, George faced off against his 71-year-old neighbour in the exclusive Melbourne suburb of Toorak after she complained that his gym in the backyard of his mansion was an eyesore obstructing her views.

“There is no question about it, it was a turbulent time, let’s not kid ourselves, I flew very close to the sun,” George later told The Daily Telegraph in 2018 about his troubles.

“I might be really little but I have a heart of a lion and I don’t want to be a flock of sheep. I want to do things my way and sometimes you are going to make mistakes.”

George’s fall from grace continued however, and the 22 companies that made up his Made Establishment Group – including Press Club, Gazi and Hellenic Republic – collapsed, going into voluntary administration in February, 2020.

Revealing his devastation on Instagram at the time, George wrote in an open letter to his staff: “I am so sorry all our collective efforts have not provided to be enough. I'm gutted it's come to this.”

George Calombaris

George had a tough year and did not take on a Channel Seven gig like his former co-stars.

Getty

Why isn’t George Calombaris part of Plate Of Origin?

George’s ongoing negative publicity may be part of the reason why he didn't sign up for Plate of Origin. And, last month, Gary weighed in on what it was like to film the new show without his former sidekick.

“[George] had a disastrous year last year,” admitted Gary to New Idea. “It’s been a terrible time for him. And as close friends, Matt and I were concerned for his health as much as anything else.

“And however long it takes for George to get back on his feet and find his path forward, we’re there to support him. And we will.”

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