George Calombaris calls out racist review of his new restaurant
A one-star racist review has led celebrity chef George Calombaris to ban one diner for life.
The review of new Greek restaurant Hellenic House Project in Highett, in Melbourne’s southeast, questioned the authenticity of the venue.
Calombaris shared a snippet of the post on Instagram.
“Like others, we’ve dined in many, many restaurants and were keen to try this ‘authentic Greek’ experience,” the review read.
“It was far from it. Practically none of the staff were Greek (including the manager who was of Indian descent) and the menu didn’t reflect what has been posted online.
“Calombaris – this place is a joke and you've certainly got a few people fooled.”
The reviewer described the experience as a ‘non-dining experience’, saying they had to wait 45 minutes for their meal.
“Typically, we weren’t offered any compensation except that our food would be out in five minutes. Which it wasn’t. I should’ve realised it was going to be a disaster when I had to ask for the menu after 10 minutes,” the reviewer said.
The former MasterChef host admitted a mistake with the order, but said the review was out of line.
“Won’t lie. I am 99 per cent a very positive human. But this is horrible. Yes. We made a mistake with your order,” Calombaris said.
“We are humans. And yes my manager is Indian. You know who you are guys. You’re not welcome ever to @thehellenichouseproject. You don’t have to speak Greek or be a Greek to work at THHP.
“You just have to be a good human. I am so proud of my team. I hate racism. F****n hate it.”
Fellow celebrity chef Manu Feildel back in his mate.
“Well done George, people like this should just stay home,” he wrote.
“And that is a very polite way to say what I really feel like saying.”
Fellow MasterChef co-host Gary Mehigan also backed in Calombaris quoting Mohamad Safa “Our world is not divided by race, color, gender or religion. Our world is divided into wise people and fools. And fools divided themselves by race, color, gender, or religion,” he wrote.
The restaurant has been opened for three months and is Calombaris’ comeback after he was ordered to repay $7.8 million in unpaid wages to 515 members of staff in July 2019.
Jonathan Jackson, 31st July 2023
