Delia’s extravagant and luxurious lifestyle, which he proudly showcased on social media, including red-carpet events and business class trips to lavish Dubai resorts, has only fuelled the public’s anger.
The downfall of Providoor, initially established by Delia as a lifeline to the struggling hospitality industry during the Covid lockdowns, shocked and disappointed customers who had placed their trust in the service.
The company entered external administration last month, revealing financial records that exposed debts amounting to more than $6.3 million.
The most significant portion of this debt was the $4.4 million owed to gift cardholders, a loss that has left many upset and frustrated.
While acknowledging the justifiability of the customers’ grievances, Delia attempted to shift blame onto a major investor who decided to withdraw millions of dollars, leading to the company’s collapse.
He claimed that Providoor’s demise could have been prevented if not for a technical breach in reporting, which the investor used as an excuse to pull out their financial support.
Delia firmly believes that, had the breach been rectified, the business would have persevered and overcome the challenges faced.
However, despite the mounting debts and the negative impact on his customers, Delia continued to flaunt his lavish lifestyle on social media.
Instagram stories screenshotted and published by the Daily Mail showed opulent trips to Dubai, where he and his wife, Maha, enjoyed business class flights.
They stayed at the luxurious Atlantis, The Palm resort, known for its exorbitant room rates reaching up to $39,000 per night.
The displays have only added fuel to the fire of criticism.
“Hopefully you can continue to enjoy your luxurious lifestyle. While you owe more than $6 million. I know it happens all the time but it doesn’t make it right,” one person commented on a post from Dubai.
“It’s great to see you’re enjoying your life whilst owing us all millions In gift cards,” another added.
In addition to his vacations, Delia has been hosting grand events, and promoting his newly-opened restaurant – Jayda.
He recently organised a lavish celebration for the 15th anniversary of his flagship restaurant, where more than 100 guests were treated to a red-carpet entrance, live music, and a sit-down dinner.
Prominent personalities such as The Project host Waleed Aly and his wife, Dr Susan Carland, comedian Kate Langbroek and her husband, Peter Lewis, and Channel 9 TV presenter Lauren Philips were among the attendees at the $185 per head event.
RSM Australia Partners, the liquidator handling Providoor’s affairs, has made efforts to salvage what remains of the brand.
It is attempting to sell the company’s intellectual property, including the customer database, as part of the liquidation process.
Delia, in his announcement of Providoor’s closure, expressed his pride in what the service had achieved, emphasising that it provided more than a million meals during the darkest days of the pandemic.
“We served more than one million meals and built something that made a difference during some very dark days,” he wrote.
“I created Providoor during lockdown, when the hospitality world was in disarray and we needed to find a way to survive. Providoor meant we could secure and create jobs as well as give people a little bit of restaurant joy during a pretty dismal time.”
Delia cited economic pressures hindering many across the hospitality industry as the cause for the collapse.
“When people kept using Providoor after social restrictions were lifted, it showed us that it was a really good idea,” he said.
“I just wish it had been given the opportunity to work through the challenging economic conditions, the same facing so many in the restaurant and hospitality sector right now. So, sadly the Providoor story comes to an end. I want to acknowledge the team, the advisers and our valued restaurant partners who all worked so hard to make Providoor a success. And to our loyal customers, thank you so much for your support.”
It is understood Delia, who news.com.au has contacted for comment, remains overseas.