Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Jamie Oliver to open Joburg restaurant
It will serve ‘simple’ Italian food
CELEBRITY chef Jamie Oliver is opening a restaurant in Joburg which will serve up “simple, honest and delicious” Italian food.
The award-winning British chef announced this week his Italian franchise, Jamie’s Italian, will open its doors in September in Melrose Arch.
Oliver has 40 other establishments around the world. He opened his first restaurant in Oxford in 2008.
The restaurant chain is a partnership between Oliver and his Italian mentor, chef Gennaro Contaldo. South African company Whisky Creek Brands are the exclusive operating partner for Jamie’s Italian in South Africa.
The menu includes rustic, Italianinspired dishes with a Jamie twist, including bowls of pasta made on site every day.
Oliver said it was an “honour” to be opening a restaurant in Joburg. “I can’t tell you how excited I am to be bringing Jamie’s Italian to South Africa. Johannesburg is an incredible city with an established food scene, so to be opening a restaurant here is a huge honour for me.
“Right now we’re in the process of recruiting a brilliant new team who will become part of our ever-growing Jamie’s Italian family. When we open the doors, we’ll be serving up beautiful, simple, great-value Italian food, all made with the very best-quality ingredients we can get our hands on.”
Stephen Gersowsky, chief executive of Whisky Creek Brands, said Jamie’s Italian would offer meals pre- pared from simple, fresh ingredients of high quality. “Food provenance is key. All our ingredients have traceable origins. It will be food that is delicious and affordable.
“Our fresh pasta will be made on site every day and all of our dish inspirations come directly from Jamie and Gennaro. It is food found throughout Italy – with simple modern twists.”
Gersowsky said one of the aims was to welcome everyone to the restaurant.
“Families, people on a business lunch, first dates, special occasions and people looking for a quick lunch or a simple drink at the bar . You could come in for a quick bowl of bolognese for lunch or you can splash out and enjoy a complete feast of antipasti, sides, mains and desserts, it’s up to you.”
The restaurant will also be affordable, according to Gersowsky.
He said the concept was created to provide an affordable, accessible experience in a casual, relaxed environment, rather than high-end dining.
“We aim to create a nice, fun, relaxed vibe in the restaurants but most of all we just want people to know they can come to us for some really delicious food at an affordable price.”
Foodies will also have the chance to see the award-winning chef from time to time.
“Jamie himself is very involved in both the look and feel of each restaurant and in the creation of the menus. He meets with his team regularly to tweak menus and add seasonal dishes.”
Gersowsky said they would soon announce the chefs who would be working at the restaurant in Melrose Arch.
“We look for superstars at different levels from front of house to back of house. We always hope we can fill as many positions as we can with local people who are really passionate about great food and service.”