George Calombaris’ Hellenic Republic restaurant in Mother’s Day food poisoning investigation

UPDATE: George Calombaris’ restaurant Hellenic Republic will close for at least 24 hours in response to a Mother’s Day food poisoning incident.

Hellenic Republic in Kew.

UPDATE: A Melbourne restaurant co-owned by George Calombaris will close for at least 24 hours in response to a Mother’s Day food poisoning incident.

The MasterChef judges’ Hellenic Republic in Kew came under investigation by the Department of Health and the local council on Thursday after reports that at least two groups of diners fell sick on Sunday evening after a Mother’s Day luncheon.

It is believed the patrons — who suffered from vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps — consumed items from a set menu designed for the special occasion.

A spokeswoman for Calombaris’ company, Made Establishment, confirmed the venue would be closed immediately.

“On receipt of further communication from our guests reporting that they had felt unwell after dining at Hellenic Republic Kew, we have decided alongside the Boroondara Council and health authorities to immediately close the restaurant.

“We are working with full transparency and all of our resources to assist them, so that we can urgently identify the cause of these symptoms,” the spokeswoman said.

Hellenic Republic in Kew, Melbourne.

The Greek restaurant reportedly welcomed 600 diners through its doors on Mother’s Day.

“It’s completely put us through the wringer,” an unnamed victim told Fairfax Media.

“My wife was vomiting all day yesterday and most of Sunday night. This stuff shouldn’t happen at a restaurant like this.”

Boroondara Council community development director Carolyn McClean confirmed that reports of a “gastroenteritis outbreak” had been received.

“An inspection of the premises was conducted by a council environmental health officer on Tuesday evening to obtain food samples and to ensure that appropriate infection control practices had been implemented,” Ms McClean told Fairfax.

“Faecal specimen collection kits have also been delivered to a number of the affected people to assist in investigating the outbreak.”

It’s yet another blow for Calombaris’ famed eateries — his other Kew restaurant, St Katherine’s on Cotham Rd, was engulfed by flames in September last year, forcing up to 170 diners to flee the Middle Eastern restaurant.

The unfortunate timing of the blaze meant that it not only ran up a damage bill of around $100,000, but also disrupted Father’s Day celebrations.

Calombaris is busy filming MasterChef season 6 with fellow judges Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston.

Made Establishment — of which Calombaris owns a 25 per cent stake in — controls Hellenic Republic in Kew and Brunswick, along with The Press Club and Gazi in Melbourne’s CBD.

In December last year, thieves stole $20,000 from the company’s former South Yarra restaurant Mama Baba.

News.com.au has contacted Calombaris for comment.

Hellenic Republic, under investigation over a Mother’s Day food poisoning complaint.