Five in a row: Jamie’s magic number
Jamie Oliver plans to join the increasing number of top chefs heading north when he opens another branch of his Fifteen restaurant chain in Leeds.
This latest restaurant, which will open in 2009, will help teams of disadvantaged youngsters from the city and surrounding area to train as chefs and turn their lives around.
Jamie’s first Fifteen restaurant has so far produced five groups of skilled chefs who have gone on to work at restaurants in London, New York, San Francisco and Sydney. With the London branch of Fifteen going from strength to strength, Jamie has since launched similar projects inMelbourne, Amsterdam, and Cornwall. The latter won Best Location in this year’s Observer Food Monthly reader awards.
Leeds will be Jamie’s fifth venture, and the addition of Fifteen will be yet another feather in the city’s culinary cap. Last year it was listed in Which? Good Food Guide’s top five cities to eat out in. It already boasts Raymond Blanc’s Brasserie Blanc and will welcome back native Marco Pierre White when he opens Frankies with jockey Frankie Dettori in a few months time.
It is reported that the Leeds branch will be built in the Granary Wharf area of the city, but until Jamie drums up the local investment he needs, plans are still in the early stages.
Meanwhile, restaurateur Albert Roux is also turning his culinary attentions to Leeds. He has signed up to work with the owners of the new Ellington hotel which will open in the city in August. Roux will train Ellington chefs at his award-winning London restaurant Le Gavroche, create the menus and play host to guests on foodie weekend breaks at the luxury boutique hotel.
