And if you thought that was gonna be it for the week in terms of good MasterChef judge-related stories, then hoooo boy you better grab onto something quick.
George Calombaris has, not to put too fine a point on it, not had the best of trots recently. A tiny little $2.6million underpaid staff scandal has rocked his various Melbourne-based eateries, including Jimmy Grants, Hellenic Republic, The Press Club, and Gazi, drawing the ire of hospitality workers and the Fair Work Ombudsman.
While he’s apparently “working to rectify” that little snafu, George managed to take time out last night to swing by Allianz Stadium in Sydney for the A-League Grand Final between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory.
George just-so happens to be Victory’s number one ticket holder, and thus prime sideline seats were obtained for himself and fellow food-people Matt Preston and Shannon Bennett.
A 19-year-old Sydney FC fan heckled George after the game concluded, shouting “pay your staff, you dodgy bastard” at him. At which point George Calombaris MARCHED INTO THE STANDS AND SHOVED THE TEENAGER.
Cops then subsequently ushered George away but did not, as is customary, send him home in the back of a divvy van (clap clap/clapclapclap/clapclapclapclap/clap clap).
Somehow the yarn gets even better when you consider the fact that NSW Police actually issued a statement on the incident:
“Police are investigating an alleged assault at Allianz Stadium.
About 8:50pm on Sunday 7 May, a 19 year-old man was allegedly assaulted by a 38 year-old after a football game.
Police spoke to the men and will be investigating the incident further.
Any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police should contact Crimestoppers.”
George himself has even gone so far as to release comment to the media addressing the altercation:
“I am really disappointed with what occurred last night. I was genuinely shocked when post-match football banter turned into personal abuse about my family. I regret the way in which I reacted, I am disappointed that I let it get to me, and I sincerely apologise for offending anyone.”
“While I am not proud of my reaction to the situation, I was offended by a spectator yelling out abusive and derogatory comments about my family. I have spoken to Melbourne Victory FC and Football Federation Australia today to report the situation and I’m truly sorry that this has happened.”
So today that’s Matt Preston being on Marco Pierre White’s murder list, and George Calombaris wanting to punch on with a 19-year-old fan at the soccer.
By 5pm today there’s a fair chance Gary Mehigan will announce he’s gonna MMA fight an elk.
