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George Calombaris’ multi million-dollar family home in Toorak up for sale as restaurant empire faces voluntary administration

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VideoCelebrity chef George Calombaris’ hospitality empire could appoint a voluntary administrator next week

Celebrity chef George Calombaris’ family property in Melbourne’s affluent Toorak has been listed for sale, as his restaurant empire is facing voluntary administration.

Calombaris’ Made Establishment group, which employs about 500 staff at its 18 restaurants, is expected to make a decision on whether or not it will go into voluntary administration after a meeting on Monday afternoon, according to various media outlets.

Made Establishment did not wish to provide comment.

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It has also been widely reported that a home owned by the Calombaris family in Toorak has been listed for sale, with an expressions of interest sign staked in front of the property.

Calombaris paid $4.75 million for the five-bedroom home back in 2013.

Today’s reported creditors meeting comes after it emerged last year Made Establishment staff were backpaid $7.8 million in wages and superannuation in 2017.

Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, Heston Blumenthal, Matt Preston
Camera IconGary Mehigan, George Calombaris, Heston Blumenthal, Matt Preston Credit: Supplied

It is expected that all staff and creditors will be paid, but some poorly performing restaurants could be sold.

Victorian Jobs Minister Martin Pakula says if voluntary administration is required, people’s jobs should be the priority.

“My thoughts and concerns would be for all of the employees of his company,” he told reporters on Monday.

“In that regard, I would hope that any conversations that are had with bankers and administrators are such that those people are able to keep their jobs.”

The Melbourne-based company was fined $200,000 by the Fair Work Ombudsman in July after current or former employees of the Press Club, Gazi and Hellenic Republic were back paid for work between 2011 and 2017.

Unions were outraged with the size of the fine, saying it should have been bigger.

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