George Calombaris savaged over 'cruel' Instagram post

Embattled celebrity chef George Calombaris has angered fans online after posting a throwback photo to his Instagram account on Monday.

The photo, which was taken in 2013, shows a clearly excited George kissing a dolphin.

“Flashback to 2013 for a Monday morning smile,” he captioned the image, adding laughing emojis.

However, given the current movement away from wild animals such as dolphins and whales being used for entertainment, many of the former Masterchef judge’s fans were quick to slam his ‘happy snap’.

Outrage over George Calombaris’ dolphin photo

“Are you really proud that you’re contributing to the thousands of dolphins slaughtered, not to mention the others ripped from their families and put into fish bowls, just so you can give them a kiss and look at the photo once every few years?” one outraged person commented on the image.

“I hope you never do this again. Please read about how dolphins are captured and how they suffer in captivity,” another wrote.

“So so sad to see this. How can anyone derive pleasure through the misery and torture of a highly intelligent wild animal, was another comment.

While a fourth said they were “bitterly disappointed”.

There were some who defended George against the barrage of criticism, however.

“Places like SeaWorld offer conservation through education. They rescue animals that cannot go back into the wild. Leave the man alone,” one person wrote.

“That is just the sweetest thing,” another thought.

A difficult year for George Calombaris

It’s been a difficult year for the famous chef, who was found to have underpaid staff in his many restaurants by $7.8 million over the years.

Last month, an emotional George begged the public not to abandon his restaurants, after diners snubbed many of his establishments in the wake of his wage theft scandal.

George has been dogged by the fallout of the payment controversy, dumped from a lucrative tourism deal, and forced to make a $200,000 “contrition payment”, in addition to back-paying 515 workers who were underpaid.

Then came the explosive news that George along with fellow MasterChef judges, Matt Preston, and Gary Mehigan, would be leaving the acclaimed series after 11 seasons.

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