Abu Dhabi, December 25: Come New Year, Dubai residents will have one more reason to eat their hearts out: the opening of Jamie’s Italian British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s signature restaurant at Dubai Festival City.
This is the first time that Jamie’s Italian steps out of the United Kingdom. Worldwide, Oliver is known as The Naked Chef, and you must have seen many of his cookbooks line the shelves in stores across the UAE. His “nakedness” has to do with a simplicity (that he wears close to his skin). Menu offerings and all raw food materials sourced are as simple, original and “naked” as they can be: in other words, he rustles up authentic fare that comes straight from his heart.
Other than that, Oliver has been an active campaigner for nutritious school food in the UK, doesn’t believe in processed food, does a whole lot of charity work, is a television star, an author in his own right… And yes, before we forget, Oliver has also been in the news for sparring tactically with the formidable Gordan Ramsay over the latter’s not-in-good-taste “obnoxious swearing”.
Jamie’s Italian is being brought here by Jawad Business Group, which is keen to expand this line across the GCC. According to the group, “Jamie’s Italian truly believes that everyone should be able to enjoy healthy and sometimes indulgent but good, original and delicious food and we have done our best to ensure our menu items and prices will be loved by one and all in Dubai.” A survey was conducted before the decision to get Oliver on board was taken: Dubai’s foodies voted overwhelmingly for him as the chef of their choice, with everyone wanting a restaurant that served “real” and simple food, which tasted great. So as you get ready to ring in 2011, you can now start planning to have Jamie’s Italian at DFC’s Marina Pavilion, right by the canal… Who knows, you might even see a gondola float by.
–Agencies–