TFS#241 - George Calombaris Life after MasterChef: Fueled by Passion and Love

George Calombaris is a Greek-Australian chef, restaurateur, and former MasterChef Australia judge celebrated for his inventive approach to modern Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. Over the years, he built an empire of acclaimed restaurants under the MAdE Establishment Group and became one of Australia’s most influential culinary figures. Today, George continues to channel his passion for food, mentorship, and hospitality—focusing on creating meaningful experiences and sharing his love for cooking in new ways.Connect with George Calombaris!https://www.instagram.com/gcalombarisCHAPTERS:0:00 – Introduction1:14 – Meet George Calombaris1:54 – How many restaurants has George owned throughout his career2:16 – How Andy first discovered George through watching MasterChef3:36 – What George has been focused on over the past six months5:29 – The catalyst behind George’s move and life change7:12 – George talks about working with investors and building new hospitality ventures8:55 – Can restaurants achieve consistent cash flow in today’s market?11:55 – Would George prefer to build a pub from scratch or buy an existing one?13:55 – George shares his approach to designing a pub menu16:33 – Comparing cooking to artistry and creativity in hospitality19:48 – What defines 80% of the customer experience in a restaurant22:12 – How George builds and leads his long-term hospitality team25:23 – The venues, pop-ups, and TV projects George is currently managing28:01 – How George handles finances and stays focused on what he loves29:21 – George talks about the real value of money for him and his children31:33 – George discusses his kids and teaching them work values35:12 – How George balances work, family, and his rest days36:37 – What dinner looks like at George’s home and his approach to family meals37:51 – How George has retained chefs and team members for over 15 years39:52 – Do chefs need ownership or equity to stay motivated long-term?41:30 – Why George believes social media is the modern-day agora43:36 – George’s upcoming Australian and Indian TV projects44:56 – How MasterChef Australia came into George’s life46:44 – George’s advice for small restaurant owners and entrepreneurs48:01 – George’s recent life discoveries49:11 – George’s personal goals and focus for the next six months50:30 – Connect with George Calombaris51:21 – Outro