Celebrity chef, George Calombaris, publicly responded over the weekend to a negative Google review of his restaurant, The Hellenic House Project (THHP), in Highett, south east of Melbourne.
Calombaris publicly called out the one star Google review as “racist” on his Instagram page, Nine reported.
The diner claimed in their review that their night at THHP was the “worst ‘non’ dining experience ever” and it was “far from” an “‘authentic Greek’ experience.”
“Practically none of the staff were Greek (including the Manager who was of Indian descent) and the menu didn’t reflect what has been posted online,” the review reads.
The diner allegedly didn’t receive their food for 45 minutes and it was revealed that the manager “forgot” to put in the order, according to Nine.
The diner called out Calombaris in the review to say “this place is a joke” and “you’ve certainly got a few people fooled,” leaving one star in food, service and atmosphere.
In response to the Google review, Calombaris said in his Instagram post: “Yes my manager is Indian.”
“You don’t have to speak Greek or be a Greek to work at THHP. You just have to be a good human. I am so proud of my team. I hate racism,” the chef added.
Calombaris also pubically banned the diner from returning to THHP.
Celebrity chefs, such as Manu Feildel and Gary Mehigan, as well Celebrity Masterchef contestant Nicholas Fredrick Riewoldt, commented on the Instagram post in support of Calombaris.
READ MORE: George Calombaris restaurant empire’s collapse costs taxpayers $1 million.
