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Tax trouble for MasterChef couple
Away from the reality TV cameras, MasterChef alumni Chris Badenoch and Julia Jenkins have found the real world bites.
The Series One stars admit they're under severe financial strain as they nurse their Collingwood restaurant and bar, Josie Bones, through an industry-wide downturn.
The Australian Tax Office has served meat and beer purveyor Badenoch with a writ seeking to recover about $125,000 for bills dating back to June 2011.
Eating further into profits is the strong competition on hipster strip Smith St - including a new souvlaki joint just 500m away from MasterChef judge George Calombaris.
Chris Badenoch and Julia Jenkins are finding the going difficult at their Collingwood restaurant.
The culinary couple admit things are tight but, newly married, they're determined to tough it out together.
"How it's portrayed on TV and reality are quite different," says Badenoch of running a restaurant.
"It all looks awesome on TV, but the really horrible side of (hospitality) is it's tight and getting tighter.
"We're trying hard but if the people aren't there, there's not a lot we can do."
The newlyweds are glad to have each other to lean on as they stare down the financial strife.
"We've poured too much heartache and love into this place to let it go," Jenkins says.
"You don't get into hospitality for an easy ride.
"It's nice having another person to share it with. We're great support for each other."
Badenoch agrees: "It means we can work on everything together. Whether good or bad, we share and understand it."
Twice-bankrupt, Badenoch says he has learnt lessons from his previous run-ins with corporate regulators and is facing his financial problems front-on.
"The lesson you learn is you deal with it better. Deal with it, not let it go. We're going to deal with it and keep moving," he says.
The newlyweds - who had a wheel of cheese instead of a cake at their simple ceremony in Daylesford last month - haven't had time or money for a honeymoon, and are working seven days a week.
But the pair are optimistic things are picking up, and are hopeful of striking a deal with the tax office in coming days to negotiate a payment plan.
They have had a string of equipment failures and breakdowns, with repair bills adding even more strain.
However, the couple remain determined not to compromise on the quality of food they serve at the eatery and bar, "because that's what sets us apart".
Source: The Australian, 23 September 2013
The Series One stars admit they're under severe financial strain as they nurse their Collingwood restaurant and bar, Josie Bones, through an industry-wide downturn.
The Australian Tax Office has served meat and beer purveyor Badenoch with a writ seeking to recover about $125,000 for bills dating back to June 2011.
Eating further into profits is the strong competition on hipster strip Smith St - including a new souvlaki joint just 500m away from MasterChef judge George Calombaris.
The culinary couple admit things are tight but, newly married, they're determined to tough it out together.
"How it's portrayed on TV and reality are quite different," says Badenoch of running a restaurant.
"It all looks awesome on TV, but the really horrible side of (hospitality) is it's tight and getting tighter.
"We're trying hard but if the people aren't there, there's not a lot we can do."
The newlyweds are glad to have each other to lean on as they stare down the financial strife.
"We've poured too much heartache and love into this place to let it go," Jenkins says.
"You don't get into hospitality for an easy ride.
"It's nice having another person to share it with. We're great support for each other."
Badenoch agrees: "It means we can work on everything together. Whether good or bad, we share and understand it."
Twice-bankrupt, Badenoch says he has learnt lessons from his previous run-ins with corporate regulators and is facing his financial problems front-on.
"The lesson you learn is you deal with it better. Deal with it, not let it go. We're going to deal with it and keep moving," he says.
The newlyweds - who had a wheel of cheese instead of a cake at their simple ceremony in Daylesford last month - haven't had time or money for a honeymoon, and are working seven days a week.
But the pair are optimistic things are picking up, and are hopeful of striking a deal with the tax office in coming days to negotiate a payment plan.
They have had a string of equipment failures and breakdowns, with repair bills adding even more strain.
However, the couple remain determined not to compromise on the quality of food they serve at the eatery and bar, "because that's what sets us apart".
- See more at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/tax-trouble-for-masterchef-couple-chris-badenoch-and-julia-jenkins/story-e6frg6n6-1226724745191#sthash.cKzuqNW1.dpufAWAY from the reality TV cameras, MasterChef alumni Chris Badenoch and Julia Jenkins have found the real world bites.
The Series One stars admit they're under severe financial strain as they nurse their Collingwood restaurant and bar, Josie Bones, through an industry-wide downturn.
The Australian Tax Office has served meat and beer purveyor Badenoch with a writ seeking to recover about $125,000 for bills dating back to June 2011.
Eating further into profits is the strong competition on hipster strip Smith St - including a new souvlaki joint just 500m away from MasterChef judge George Calombaris.
The culinary couple admit things are tight but, newly married, they're determined to tough it out together.
"How it's portrayed on TV and reality are quite different," says Badenoch of running a restaurant.
"It all looks awesome on TV, but the really horrible side of (hospitality) is it's tight and getting tighter.
"We're trying hard but if the people aren't there, there's not a lot we can do."
The newlyweds are glad to have each other to lean on as they stare down the financial strife.
"We've poured too much heartache and love into this place to let it go," Jenkins says.
"You don't get into hospitality for an easy ride.
"It's nice having another person to share it with. We're great support for each other."
Badenoch agrees: "It means we can work on everything together. Whether good or bad, we share and understand it."
Twice-bankrupt, Badenoch says he has learnt lessons from his previous run-ins with corporate regulators and is facing his financial problems front-on.
"The lesson you learn is you deal with it better. Deal with it, not let it go. We're going to deal with it and keep moving," he says.
The newlyweds - who had a wheel of cheese instead of a cake at their simple ceremony in Daylesford last month - haven't had time or money for a honeymoon, and are working seven days a week.
But the pair are optimistic things are picking up, and are hopeful of striking a deal with the tax office in coming days to negotiate a payment plan.
They have had a string of equipment failures and breakdowns, with repair bills adding even more strain.
However, the couple remain determined not to compromise on the quality of food they serve at the eatery and bar, "because that's what sets us apart".
- See more at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/tax-trouble-for-masterchef-couple-chris-badenoch-and-julia-jenkins/story-e6frg6n6-1226724745191#sthash.cKzuqNW1.dpuf
