Benny Burger in Little Collins Street. Credit:Paul Jeffers

A Melbourne burger joint owned by celebrity chef Shannon Bennett has been placed into liquidation owing almost $170,000 to suppliers and the tax office.

The collapse of a Benny Burger restaurant is the latest blow to Bennett’s hospitality empire following the closure of other venues, the departures of senior executives and an ongoing Fair Work Ombudsman investigation into allegations of underpayment at his flagship restaurant, Vue de monde.

A liquidator's report filed with the corporate regulator on October 11 shows Benny Burger on Little Collins Street in the CBD owed more than $27,000 to former employees and almost $133,000 to about 20 suppliers.