MasterChef judge George Calombaris serves it up to his critics

HE may be one of the country's most successful restaurateurs, but that doesn't mean the barbs from his critics don't hurt.

georgecalombaris

HE may be one of the country's most successful restaurateurs, but that doesn't mean the barbs from his critics don't hurt.

Now MasterChef judge George Calombaris has taken a swipe at his detractors, who include everyone from hardcore animal rights lobbyists to the soft-serve ice cream franchise Mr Whippy, accusing them of treating him like a "political football".

He even claims that the recent drop in ratings for the Channel 10 cooking show is part of the "tall poppy syndrome".

Calombaris, who owns seven restaurants, said: "It happens in my business. You are at the top and you are loved and all that, and it's the typical Australian way, they bring you back down - chop the poppy.

"But they (poppies) are smaller and stronger when they are chopped and you let them grow again.

"Bring it on, that's what I say."

Earlier this year Calombaris was attacked by animal rights activists for putting rabbit on the menu at his Melbourne restaurant The Press Club.

He also advocated using farmed rabbits for food on MasterChef.

"Unfortunately you are used as a political football occasionally," he said. " I sort of understand their ethical reasons but, in the same turn, there is a way to do things."

The Channel 10 program, which starts its fifth season on Sunday, June 2, at 7.30pm, has a lot to live up to after record viewing figures in previous seasons. In 2010 the show pulled in 3.96 million viewers for its finale and in 2009 it brought in an audience of 3.7 million.

However, in recent years the figures have fallen and it now has My Kitchen Rules to contend with, which is fast becoming as big a success.

The chef, who has recently lost 20kg, also spoke for the first time about his trademark infringement battle with Mr Whippy in September because he named a dessert at his Kew restaurant after the franchise.

He branded the court action absolutely ridiculous and said: "Again I was a political football for someone to get a bit of publicity. And a lot of it was a waste of money. At least we donated some money to charity."

The case was settled in February this year, with Calombaris paying $4000, which, according to Mr Whippy CEO Stan Gordon, was donated to charity.

Calombaris said: "When I see the kids making their dessert it puts a smile on my face. Everybody has their day and I am a true believer in karma."

Calombaris is proud of the fact he employs about 300 staff at his restaurants, and acknowledges it is not only expensive to run a restaurant in Australia but also to eat in one.

"You compare us to other major cities around the world, the New Yorks, the Londons, we are so expensive in terms of going out," he said. "But it's a reflection - it's a supply-and-demand chain.

"I employ more than 300 staff - I want to employ more. But how do you try not to push that cost onto the customer that comes into your restaurant? It's a balancing act."

MASTERCHEF WILL BEGIN ON SUNDAY JUNE 2 AT 7.30PM