Mates rally around Calombaris as restaurant empire details revealed

Tuesday was a tough one for George Calombaris with the full details of his food empire collapse revealed, but mates came out in force to cheer him up at this intimate Melbourne venue.

George Calombaris dines with mates at the Carlton Wine Room on March 10, 2020.

Old mates of George Calombaris, dubbed the “rat pack”, were last night getting together to support the celebrity chef with a drink at Faraday St institution the Carlton Wine Room.

It was a tough day for the former Masterchef host who saw administators reveal the full carnage of the collapse of MAdE Establishment.

Administrators on Tuesday revealed the defunct restaurant empire racked up $20.7m in losses in the three and a half years leading to its February collapse.

George Calombaris had a horror month with the collapse of his restaurant empire. Picture: Media Mode

It is times like that you need your mates.

Several times during the dinner our spies heard the table exclaim that the “rat back” was back together.

Despite the horror month Calombaris had, the group seemed in boisterous spirits, our spies said, with a lot of raucus laughter over Rose.

There was even time for some hijinks with a roll of toilet paper that seemed to be a mascot for the group over the night, according to our spies.

Showing what a small town Melbourne is, restaurant icon John Van Haandel was spotted on the next table. On the way out Calombaris stopped to have a chat with Van Haandel.

The report to creditors by administrators KordaMentha, released on Monday, says MAdE it should now be liquidated.

“The group has not been profitable in the past three financial years or for the year to date period to January 2020.

“Cumulative losses before tax over this period total $20.7 million,” the report says.

“In our view, the winding up of all companies in the Group is the most viable option for creditors in that the Liquidators will be in a position to wind up the affairs of the group and realise the Group’s remaining assets for the benefit of creditors.”

Made Establishment and its 22 associated businesses and 12 restaurants were handed to administrators KordaMentha on February 10.

The collapse saw about 400 workers out of a job.

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