Mary is the Calombaris matriarch, who will be judging tonight’s Greek family feast challenge at George’s Hellenic Republic Restaurant in Melbourne.
In a promo for the show, it’s clear that sometimes family makes more of an impact than celebrities.
“We have the top chefs in the world, incredible talent come on the show but sometimes it’s simple things that make people react the most,” George admitted.
“Hellenic Republic means a lot to my mother. I opened that restaurant because I knew I could do the high end stuff, I wanted to do a real proper Greek tavern. I wanted people to experience the food that I grew up with. Fatty lamb, garlicky tzatziki … Mum’s always in and out at Hellenic, dropping something off that she’s made for the team.”
Mary, who appeared on the show back in 2013, will decide who will head to the elimination round.
Speaking of the episode, the beloved judge quipped, “To tell you the truth, I didn’t get to have much interaction with her as she was with Matt and Gary while I was running the kitchen.”
Mary is George’s biggest fan and appeared on the show back in 2013.
And while viewers will see how loveable Mary is, George, told us during a recent chat that she is formidable force!
“Mum is very nurturing but she takes it [food] very seriously. Food is her life.”
It is that sentiment that spurred George on professionally and personally.
Not only the judge on one of Australia’s greatest reality shows, George is also an acclaimed chef and restaurateur but his biggest pride and joy lies in his two kids, son James and daughter Michaela.
“My three-year-old daughter is very adventurous, but my son is simpler,” he said about their tastes.
“But we don’t do three different meals. I think it is important to sit around the table, go back to old traditions and enjoy your meal together as family.”
In fact, George’s comments follow Masterchef guest judge, Curtis Stone, admitting he thinks parents need to be stricter.
“I think the problem is too many parents worry about their kids being hungry that they let their children dictate what they eat,” Curtis told The Herald Sun.
“I don’t see the big deal in letting kids go hungry a few times. They’ll eat when they’re hungry.”
In light of the LA based chef’s stance, we asked George what he thought.
George has lost about 20-kilograms since he first started Masterchef, and has admitted he thinks we need to go back to old traditions of family dinners.
“I tend to agree with Curtis. It is all about understanding your child,” he said.
“My stance is the way I grew up. We all ate what mum cooked, if you didn’t like it was simple, you starve.”
Before laughing and saying, “Obviously we’re not going to let our kids starve for long; it just opens them up to new food.”
