MasterChef judge George Calombaris bans his boy from eating McDonald’s

MASTERCHEF judge George Calombaris has revealed he sends his young son to birthday parties at McDonalds with a packed lunch because he doesn’t want him eating the fast food.
In a confession sure to shame many parents, the TV favourite said his protectionist policy was not about being over-zealous or “the fun police” but because he cares about his family’s health and wants respect for treating “food like my religion.”
“In life, we’ve all got religions. Some are Buddhists, some are this, some are that, whatever, and we respect people in Australia for whatever religion that is. For me, I look at food like my religion and I have my beliefs in food. My son knows ... we’ll drive past a certain fast food chain and he’ll go, ‘that’s bad in there, isn’t it, Dad?’ and I explain it’s not about bad, it’s about having choices in life.”

Mouths of babes ... Calombaris, with his son James, right, as a toddler with young friend Juliette at Mama Baba restaurant in South Yarra. Picture: NewsCorp. Source: Supplied

Calombaris says his father’s battle to overcome bowel cancer twice, coupled with his own career commitment to serving quality food, meant he was driven to pass the healthy meal mantra on to his son, James and daughter Michaela.
The Melbourne-based chef admits he has never faced any backlash or feedback from party host parents, because “I haven’t been to (the McDonalds parties) and (partner) Natalie should take credit for (going).”
Healthy Chef author Teresa Cutter said the idea of parents hosting parties at fast food outlets was “a terrible idea” and set children on a path to bad habits.
“I wouldn’t even send my child ... but I don’t have kids. You are just introducing your child to the element of fast food and that’s a terrible idea. If it’s not made with love, it’s not going to be good for you. I just hope (James) eats (his packed lunch) and doesn’t throw it away like some kids do.”
A look inside his son’s average school lunch box confirms there are no sugary snacks or pre-packaged treats, which can be the staple go-to for many families.

Snack attack ... George Calombaris eats his way through his son James’ lunch box. Picture: Alex Coppel. Source: News Corp Australia

“Today there was a container of yoghurt with fresh raspberries, a little container of cornichons (pickled gherkins). The sandwich had tuna, cheddar cheese and avocado on the most delicious bread, that’s just yum. He has to take one piece of fruit that he shares with his mates and this time it was an orange,” Calombaris told NewsCorp.

The choice to send him to school with potentially stinky tuna was “nothing” compared to “the sh*t I was taking to school when I was a kid,” Calombaris said. “That stuff would put people in a coma.”
“It was garlic, it was salami, mortadella, real cheese, not that square sh*t in plastic,” he said.
Back then, his Greek mother would send her George to school with a huge Tupperware box full of gourmet delights, including freshly cooked schnitzels, salads and home made bread rolls.
“Obviously mum would separate the tomato and cucumber so I would have to put everything together,” he said. “There’s nothing worse than giving a kid a soggy tomato sandwich, I think that’s disgusting.”
Calombaris drew headlines two years ago when he shed close to 20 kilograms after changing his chef’s diet to include more regular meal times and playing soccer with his mates.
He says he also treats himself to a “dirty burger” from his local milk bar in Melbourne but it’s not loaded full of preservatives.
“It’s real meat, cooked on the grill. The bun’s cooked in the fat of the bacon, they use real cheddar cheese, pickled beetroot, and a big bucket of yummy chips the little Greek ladies out the back have cut up. That for me is wonderful, these are the choices I like to make.”