MasterChef star Greg Malouf dies aged 64 as co-star shares tribute

The sad news comes after years since he underwent a donor heart transplant

Beloved Australian celebrity chef and MasterChef star Greg Malouf has died at the age of 64. The sad news comes after years since Greg underwent a donor heart transplant.

Known as 'Australia's godfather of Middle Eastern cuisine', his passion for Arabic dishes made him a household name. He was a regular on reality TV shows such as MasterChef Australia and Food Safari, and his Michelin-starred Melbourne restaurant was a hotspot for celebrities, the Mirror reports.

Former MasterChef Australia judge George Calombaris, aged 45, shared the sorrowful news on Instagram on Saturday. Alongside a photo of Greg in his chef whites, George wrote: "Along with so many, today is a sad day for us all. We lost a giant of a human. A beautiful man. Yes, an amazing chef. I send love to his family."

"I will miss the banter of all things Greek vs Lebanese food. RIP great man. See you on the other side. GC xxx".

Tributes from fellow TV chefs poured into the comments section. "One of the giants," commented celebrity chef Miguel Maestre, while Matt Moran, star of The Great Australian Bake Off, responded with a crying face emoji.

Greg leaves behind his ex-wife and culinary expert Lucy Malouf. His last Instagram post on 6 September showcased recipes from a recent trip to Turkey.

Greg became the second individual in Victoria, Australia to undergo a second heart transplant in a five-hour operation, 14 years after his first surgery. The need for a re-transplant arose due to chronic rejection of the first donor heart.

Greg revealed that he began experiencing warning signs such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and a spike in his cholesterol levels. After being placed on the waiting list for a new heart, he endured a 14-month wait for the call.