George Calombaris is one of the best-known celebrity chefs in Australia, primarily known for being a judge on MasterChef Australia and for his work to popularize modern Greek cooking through his various restaurants and cookbooks. Over a culinary career spanning over twenty years, George has built a brand that combines fine dining with a cultural base. Although faced with controversy, not the least of which is the wage scandal that received considerable media attention, he is still a respected voice in the food space.
In 2025, George Calombaris’ net worth is estimated to be around 5 million USD. This speaks to his worth in all of his monetized endeavors within television, publishing, and the restaurant world. In this article, we will look to educate you on George Calombaris’ net worth, who he is, his education, work history, personal history, his restaurants, his social media, and more.
Who Is George Calombaris?
George Dimitrios Calombaris (born October 4, 1978) is a prominent Greek Australian chef, restaurateur, author of cookbooks, and television personality. He achieved worldwide fame as a judge on the MasterChef Australia television show from 2009 until 2019.
George Calombaris Net Worth in 2025
Based on credible sources such as CelebsMoney, it appears that George Calombaris’ approximated net worth in 2025 is approximately USD 5 million. This figure is an indicator of the longevity Calombaris enjoyed in the culinary and entertainment sectors. There are a number of factors we have used to arrive at this estimate:
- Income from television, namely his over ten-year run on MasterChef Australia.
- Selling cookbooks, such as The Press Club, Hellenic Republic, Your Place or Mine and Cook With Us.
- Income from restaurant ventures, such as numerous Melbourne venues under his MAdE Establishment Group.
Ups and Downs: Financial Milestones and Challenges
Although he gained prestige and wealth throughout his career, he also experienced serious professional challenges:
- In 2019, it was revealed that his company had failed to pay more than AUD 7.83 million in wages to more than 500 staff members, which resulted in a backing payment and a fines.
- The reputational impact of the scandal ultimately resulted in the voluntary administration of his restaurant group in early 2020, resulting in venues closing and jobs being lost.
Where Does the $5 Million Come From?
Main sources of income:
- Television – he had a decade-long role on MasterChef Australia.
- Culinary publishing – he has respectable best-selling cookbooks.
- Restaurants – he owns and partners some signature venues in Melbourne.
The estimate of $5 million comes from income from all of the above sources, minus the monetary impact and restructuring that followed from the wage scandal.
How Reliable Is This Estimate?
Multiple net worth trackers offer differing figures. For instance:
- People AI places his 2025 net worth at approximately USD 3.21 million, rising gradually from 2.57 million in 2023, to 2.89 million in 2024.
- Other sources suggest lower values—some estimate as low as USD 100,000 to 1 million—but clearly acknowledge the $5 million figure as credible among larger estimates.
Education Background of George Calombaris
George Calombaris built a strong culinary foundation from an early age. His formal education focused on food and hospitality, which laid the groundwork for his successful chef career.
| Education Level | Institution | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Culinary Arts | Box Hill Institute, Melbourne | Diploma in Hospitality & Cookery |
| Apprenticeship | Sofitel Hotel, Melbourne | Early hands-on chef training |
| International Experience | Europe (incl. France, Greece) | Trained in Michelin-star kitchens |
His training in both Australia and Europe gave him the global culinary perspective he later infused into his restaurants.
George Calombaris Career Highlights and Achievements
George’s career spans over two decades, with high-profile success and public controversies.
| Year | Career Milestone |
|---|---|
| Early 2000s | Worked in elite restaurants across Melbourne and Europe |
| 2006 | Opened The Press Club, his first signature restaurant |
| 2009–2019 | Starred as a judge on MasterChef Australia for 11 seasons |
| 2010s | Published multiple cookbooks and ran several eateries under MAdE Establishment |
| 2019 | Faced wage scandal – underpaid staff by approx. AUD 7.83 million |
| 2020 Onward | Focused on rebuilding his culinary image and community initiatives |
Despite the setbacks, George remains a respected culinary voice in Australia and globally.
George Calombaris Cookbooks – Complete List
| Cookbook Title | Year Published | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Press Club: Modern Greek Cookery | 2007 | His first cookbook featuring modern twists on traditional Greek recipes from his award-winning restaurant, The Press Club. |
| Hellenic Republic: Greek Food from the Hellenic Heart | 2011 | A celebration of rustic Greek food inspired by his restaurant Hellenic Republic; showcases family-style dishes and traditional flavors. |
| Your Place or Mine (co-authored with Gary Mehigan) | 2009 | A collaboration between MasterChef judges, offering a mix of modern and classic recipes from both chefs’ kitchens. |
| Cook With Us (co-authored with Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston) | 2010 | Another MasterChef-based cookbook featuring easy-to-follow recipes for Australian home cooks, with behind-the-scenes insights from the show. |
| Greek Cookery from the Hellenic Heart | 2008 | A deep dive into authentic Greek family recipes with stories from his upbringing and cultural background. |
George Calombaris Married Life – Who is His Wife?
George Calombaris and his long-term girlfriend Natalie Tricarico are married, although they insist on keeping their private life private and only tend to venture out together when absolutely necessary. It must be hard to be one half of Calombaris, what with the media attention on him for what feels like forever. She is a steady influence is his life and has supported George throughout his career. Publicly, their relationship is built on a strong foundation of trust, privacy and respect.
George Calombaris Children – Family Life & Kids
George is a father of two and has often spoken about how his children keep him grounded. His love for family reflects in his post-controversy lifestyle.
| Child | Details |
|---|---|
| Son | James Calombaris |
| Daughter | Michaela Calombaris |
| Parenting Style | Focused on balance & privacy |
George Calombaris Restaurants – Ventures & Closures
George Calombaris was once one of Australia’s leading restaurateurs, overseeing more than 20 dining outlets through his group MAdE Establishment. Accordingly to the 2019 wage issue, ultimately closing down many of his businesses.
| Restaurant Name | Cuisine Type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| The Press Club | Modern Greek | Closed in 2020 |
| Gazi | Greek Street Food | Closed |
| Hellenic Republic | Traditional Greek | Closed |
| Jimmy Grants | Souvlaki Concept | Closed |
George Calombaris Social Media Presence
Despite controversies, George continues to engage with fans on social media, sharing recipes, culinary tips, and life updates. His Instagram and Twitter accounts show his human side, with a mix of food, family, and reflections.
| Platform | Handle | Followers (Approx.) | Content Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| @gcalombaris | 300K+ | Food, family, reflections | |
| @gcalombaris | 150K+ | Opinions, culinary updates | |
| George Calombaris | 200K+ | Public announcements, recipes |
His content has shifted post-scandal toward authenticity and personal growth.
Detailed Breakdown of George Calombaris Net Worth
George’s net worth in 2025 is an outcome of years in TV, publishing, and restaurant ownership.
| Income Source | Estimated Share (%) |
|---|---|
| MasterChef & TV Deals | 40% |
| Restaurants | 30% (before closure) |
| Cookbooks & Publishing | 20% |
| Brand Deals/Speeches | 10% |
Despite setbacks, his current net worth is approx. $5 million USD.
Conclusion
George Calombaris is a story of brilliance in the kitchen, but also resilience in the spotlight. State estimates of his wealth are in the region of USD 5 million, due to his varied Television and hospitality achievements – alongside a major scandal which transformed his way of life. While this may seem obscene to some, the figure alludes to his decade on top of television, respectable publications, upscale restaurants – whilst taking into account liabilities and business restructure.
FAQ’s
George Calombaris’s net worth is approximately $5 million USD in 2025.
He is married to Natalie Tricarico.
He has two children – one son (James) and one daughter (Michaela).
Also read: Marion Grasby Net Worth 2025: Age, Career, Education, Husband, Family, Children & More
