Celebrity chef George Calombaris made headlines with his sudden exit from a renowned Victorian hotel. He is now marking a new chapter in his career with a fresh opportunity in Sydney.
The former MasterChef judge and high-profile chef has recently been let go from his consultancy role at Hotel Sorrento on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, just as he had been making waves in the culinary world.
This development follows another setback for Calombaris, who was also removed from his position at Sydney’s exclusive Alpha restaurant earlier this month. Despite these challenges, Calombaris is now set to join Jon Agdemis’ Public Hospitality Group (PHG), which recently secured a crucial $400 million finance deal to revitalize its business.
Calombaris, who was previously contacted for comments about his departure from Hotel Sorrento, did not respond to calls or texts. However, he addressed the situation through an Instagram video, expressing his gratitude for the time spent at the hotel.
"To my beautiful family at Hotel Sorrento, it was a 12-month contract, it ended up being two and a half years. It was awesome, and I wish the Pitt family and executive chef Beth Candy all the success," he said.
Initially, Calombaris' arrival at Alpha in March was marked with great anticipation, but financial difficulties soon led to the restaurant’s management being handed over to Con Dedes. Under Dedes’ management, Calombaris' dishes were removed from the menu, reflecting the shifting tides of the restaurant’s fortunes.
Despite these setbacks, Calombaris has secured a new role as culinary director with PHG in Sydney, though he kept the specific restaurant under wraps. He hinted at this new position in his Instagram post, saying, "I’ll be starting next month, so stay tuned."
In addition to his new role, Calombaris is also participating in a high-profile dinner event with former MasterChef co-hosts Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan at the Westin Hotel in Hyderabad, India, and promoting a unique dining experience at the Aegean Airlines business class lounge in Cyprus.
Hotel Sorrento, which recently underwent a major renovation, including a 30-meter pool, has issued a statement confirming that Calombaris was engaged as a short-term culinary consultant. The venue decided not to renew his contract in May, citing that his services were no longer needed.
For now, Calombaris’ focus is on his new ventures and continuing to make an impact in the culinary world.