| MasterChef judge sued for $167k over alleged unpaid bills |
MasterChef judge Gary Mehigan is being sued for $167,000 over allegedly unpaid construction work at a new warehouse-style events venue in Melbourne.
The high-profile chef and his business partners, Steve Bogdani and Paul Romanella, are said to have stopped paying the venue's builder in August last year.
But a representative for Mr Mehigan insists the builder's invoices were almost double the agreed budget, and that permission for extra expenditure was never sought or justified.
The legal dispute centres around the construction of a new project by Big Kitchen Events, Mr Mehigan's catering and functions company.
According to the writ filed in the Victorian Supreme Court on Monday, builder Robert Pavlovic claims Mr Mehigan and his partners owe him $155,942 in unpaid invoices plus $12,031 in interest.
The venue, 64 Sutton, is spruiked as a "warehouse inspired event space located in the urban neighbourhood of North Melbourne", according to the Big Kitchen Events with Gary Mehigan website.
It also promises "sophisticated comfort food designed by our very own Gary Mehigan".
The writ states Mr Pavlovic entered into a verbal agreement with the three partners to carry out construction works at the venue in April 2014.
He claims to have worked on the project from June to August the same year.
A spokeswoman for Mr Mehigan said the business partners would contest the builder's claims.
"There is no issue over the fact that there was an outstanding account," she told Fairfax Media.
"The problem was the amount outstanding and that that wasn't approved or justified in any way, shape or form."
"Like anyone, you don't pay a bill unless there is justification - especially if it was way over the original quote."
Mr Mehigan's representative said the builder had failed to provide receipts from suppliers and contractors.
The writ states Mr Mehigan and his partners paid some, but not all, of the amounts invoiced.
In addition to the $167,973 Mr Pavlovic claims the men owe him, he is also seeking $5,389 in legal costs.
- with Cameron Houston
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