George Calombaris to take part in barbecue challenge at Ocean Eight wine

The competition will be Calombaris’ first public event since his restaurant empire collapsed following a wages scandal.

George Calombaris is re-entering the world of competitive cooking.

The chef and former MasterChef Australia judge will cook off against fellow chef, Jerry Mai, at a barbecue challenge, which is open to the public, at Ocean Eight winery on the Mornington Peninsula on January 24.

The event is pitched as a “Greece vs Vietnam” battle for spit superiority, with guests voting for their favourite.

It marks the first public event for Calombaris since his restaurant empire collapsed following a wages scandal.

“I figured since we can’t holiday overseas this year, I’d bring some of the best flavours of an overseas holiday down to the coast,” Mai said.

“I can’t wait to share this special spot with my mates and taste their food.”

Mai has three restaurants in Melbourne, Pho Nom, Annam and Ba Hoi.

Chef Jerry Mai. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Calombaris declined to comment on his involvement at the barbecue event.

He recently sold his Toorak mansion for $8 million, and posted a lunch reunion with his former MasterChef co-judges Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston during the Christmas break.

Mehigan will serve as a judge at another event hosted by Mai at the winery on January 26.