George Calombaris to take on culinary director role as $400M deal saves Adgemis Group
George Calombaris has been snapped up by the Public Hospitality Group after being told his consultancy “services were no longer required” at Hotel Sorrento on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
“I’d like to confirm that George was engaged as a culinary consultant in a short-term capacity at Hotel Sorrento,” the venue said in a statement last week.
“The decision was made in May not to renew his contract as his services were no longer required.”
The departure from the famed Victorian pub, comes just weeks after Calombaris exited Sydney’s exclusive Alpha restaurant.
However, the silver lining is the former MasterChef judge has been picked up by Jon Agdgemis’ PHG which recently signed an 11th hour $400 million finance deal to save the business.
“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 all the success as well as executive chef Beth Candy… love them to bits,” he said.
Calombaris was working with Alpha and Adgemis before it was handed over to Con Dedes, who has scrapped the celebrity chef’s menu.
The pairing between Calombaris and Adgemis was a successful one and the celebrity chef will hold the position of culinary director.
In fact Adgemis has snapped up several staff working with Calombaris at Hotel Sorrento.
Public is also preparing to announce a new leadership team as part of the finance deal. This will see Public split and Adgemis take on a new role within the group, which is also likely to change its name.
He is currently executive chairman of JAGA, the owner of Public. The group is also likely to change its name.
The group has refinanced its debt with Sydney private lenders Archibald Capital and GEMI Investments, as well as Deutsche Bank, after months of negotiations. This move stabilises the group's debt costs.
“The strengthened financial foundation will allow us to accelerate our strategic initiatives, enhance our properties, and further elevate our exceptional property portfolio,” Adgemis said.
“I’d like to thank all our financial partners for their work and patience under challenging conditions.”
“In particular, I want to thank our people and suppliers who have not only demonstrated incredible loyalty and resilience but are the best in the business.”
The future is now looking bright for both Adgemis and Calombaris.
Along with fellow former MasterChef co-hosts Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan, Calombaris will also host a $450 a head dinner at the Westin Hotel in Hyderabad, India this weekend.
Jonathan Jackson, 1st August 2024
