WENDELL HUSSEY | Cadet | Contact
Recently eliminated Masterchef contestant Shakira, has had some better news today.
After being visibly distraught at having to pack her bags and head home to her family, Shakira received an offer from one of the judges to come and work in one of his restaurants.
The offer of work was at George Calombaris’ Hellenic Republic in Melbourne’s trendy suburb of Brunswick; a joint which has famously been underpaying staff for years.
It was confirmed this morning that his hospitality empire has backpaid $7.8 million in wages and superannuation after admitting to ripping off hundreds of current and former employees.
His MAdE Establishment group of companies will also make a $200,000 “contrition payment” under a court-enforceable undertaking made with the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Calombaris told our reporters that he felt bad about the contestant going out in an English test challenge given Shakira’s second language was English, so decided to offer her a place in his kitchen.
“I just thought she needed a break. So I’ve offered her a role in my kitchen, on the same pay rate as she was on inside the Masterchef House,” Calombaris laughed.
“So she will feel right at home. Cooking for free, copping a spray inside the kitchen and stressing like a dog in a thunderstorm during every working minute.”
“Oh but yeah she isn’t going to get any positive feedback, and if she complains about the pay I’ll have to get my accounts people to dodge and swerve the media until I punch someone at the soccer” he said.
“But we will cross that bridge when we come to it.”
