Waverley Councillor Paula Masselos allegedly unleashes over coriander in Christmas party buffet
A former mayor swore at councillors and left a chef distressed after being offered food at a Christmas buffet covered in what she believed was coriander.
A chef was left visibly distressed and councillors were told to “f**k off” during a former mayor’s outburst over what she believed to be coriander in the Christmas buffet.
The festive feast had been put on for Waverley Council staff and councillors on Tuesday night to mark the end of the year with the spread including prawns, salmon, beef, chicken and salad dishes - some with green sauces and garnishes.
But shortly after the event began, witnesses claim Labor councillor Paula Masselos became upset at what she claimed was the presence of coriander over some of the food.
The Daily Telegraph was told Ms Masselos declared she could not eat the food before arguing with council general manager Emily Scott, who tried to suggest it might not be coriander.
It is understood Ms Scott offered to speak with the chef, who turned up with a “tub of leaves”, one witness said.
“She was in her 60s and came in with a tub of leaves that she had used to show it wasn’t coriander,” one witness said.
“Someone tasted the leaves to say it wasn’t coriander, but (Ms) Masselos was not happy with that and said her tastebuds told her it was coriander.”
The witness said fellow Labor councillor and deputy mayor Keri Spooner attempted to “de-escalate” the situation by suggesting her council colleague “could always try the prawns”, a comment that allegedly further enraged Ms Masselos, who could be heard saying “f**k off” before storming out of the room.
It was not clear to the witnesses whether the comment was aimed at Ms Spooner or the group in general.
“Keri was de-shelling the prawns when she said, ‘you can always eat the prawns’ and (Ms Masselos) said ‘f**k off’,” the source said.
When approached by The Daily Telegraph, Ms Spooner declined to comment beyond declaring “the prawns were delicious”.
Another witness said staff had gone to considerable effort to put on the meal, with the room decked out in Christmas decorations.
The witness said Ms Masselos appeared to have taken special offence to the salmon, “which had chimichurri sauce and some leaves on it”.
According to RecipeTin eats, chimichurri sauce is made with parsley, oregano, garlic, red wine vinegar and olive oil.
“She said it was ‘absolutely coriander’ and (was) yelling at the GM,” the witness said.
The source claimed Ms Masselos declared she had previously raised the fact she was unable to eat coriander.
Asked about the incident, Ms Masselos told The Daily Telegraph she was allergic to coriander, and accused her fellow councillors of making politically motivated accusations.
She did not deny saying “f**k off’ at the event.
“I have suffered from a food allergy as a health issue all my life and cannot eat coriander,” she said.
“The accusations being made against me are politically motivated and are a shameful attempt to use a food allergy as a form of attack.”
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Originally published as Waverley Councillor Paula Masselos allegedly unleashes over coriander in Christmas party buffet
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