Thieves target Megan Gale’s Ascot Vale restaurant

Former Tigers player Shaun Hampson is using this skill from his footy days to cope after a burglary at the Ascot Vale restaurant he owns with fiance Megan Gale.

Megan Gale, AFL player Shaun Hampson and chef Dave Stewart are reeling after thieves broke into their Ascot Vale restaurant. Picture: Sarah Matray

Former Tigers player Shaun Hampson is using this skill from his footy days to cope after his Ascot Vale restaurant was targeted in a brazen burglary.

Hampson, who co-owns Ascot Food and Wine with fiance model Megan Gale and chef Dave Stewart, said staying optimistic was key.

“Our whole philosophy is you don’t want to add any more distress,” he said.

“This is minor compared to the worst that could have happened. You have to be grateful for that.”

The Carlton and Richmond big man said remaining optimistic was key in getting through the tough times.

“Back in my football days, that mindset really helped. I’ve used in it in every aspect of my life since football,” he said.

“Hospitality is challenging enough and to get broken into, it wasn’t so much what was taken more the inconvenience it caused.”

“We are already short staffed and all of a sudden you have an office that’s turned upside down... it’s being kicked when the industry is already down.”

The thieves made away with about $10-15,000 worth of liquor, $4000 cash — and even stole the tip jar.

Shaun Hampson and Megan Gale. Picture: Josie Hayden.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said Moonee Valley Crime Unit detectives were investigating the burglary, during which unknown offenders smashed a window to break into the restaurant sometime between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

“Offenders stole alcohol and money before fleeing the scene,” she said.

“The investigation remains ongoing.”

Chef and co-owner Dave Stewart told the Herald Sun he felt ‘violated’.

“It just hurts,” Stewart said.

“We were preparing ahead of Valentine’s Day and just received a delivering (of wine) on Tuesday.”

“It hurts so much more, when we think that things are starting to get a bit better. Last week was a bit soft and this week we’ve been so quiet, especially with interest rates going up.”

Stewart said the team had no choice but to go ahead with lunch and dinner service on Wednesday.

“We had a few booked for lunch — it’s the busiest thing we had this week. We just though, f--- it, we’ll just deal with it later. The police left at 11.15am and we were open at 11.30am.”

The robbery comes just days after Gale opened up to the Herald Sun’s V Weekend alongside Hampson about “easily the worst year I’ve ever had in my life” in 2020, amid the sudden death of her brother Jason and the collapse of her skincare brand Mindful Life.

Documents strewn on the floor.

Chef Dave Stewart documented the alleged break-in on social media.

Pictures posted on social media show how the alleged offenders broke a combination-locked handle on a door leading into the milk bar-turned-cafe’s office, where papers and supplies were left in disarray.

Boxes and documents, including what appear to be bank receipts, were strewn across the floor.

The images were followed by a snap of Stewart and son Phoenix sticking their tongues out in what the chef described as their own personal “message” to the possible offender.

It is unclear what time the alleged robbery took place, or how many offenders were involved.

It comes after Gale, 47, and Hampson, 34, last week shared their darkest moments and tragedies with the Herald Sun.

Hampson, who played for Carlton and Richmond before his 2018 retirement, told V Weekend the couple had “been through a lot together”.

“Family is absolutely first and foremost for us; we both have taken steps in the last couple of years to make that the priority,” he said.

Speaking about the loss of her brother, Gale said: “I think something like going through a significant loss in your family, it does make you re-evaluate your priorities, and life in general”.

The trio transformed Ascot Food and Wine from a daytime cafe into an after-hours eatery just months before the pandemic hit, before they were forced to close during the lockdowns like many other businesses

The “thriving cafe” was listed at No. 72 on last year’s Delicious 100.

Gale and Hampson have been contacted for comment.

Anyone with CCTV or information about the break-in should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.