The chef will open Jamie Oliver Catherine Street in a Grade I listed building in Covent Garden in November, which will be positioned as a produce-focused restaurant.
Describing the new launch as a ‘pivotal moment’ in his career, Oliver says it will have space for 130 covers as well as a 30-cover terrace.
Revealing the news on Instagram the chef said: “I am SO happy to announce my return to the UK restaurant industry that I love so dearly with my new place @jamieolivercatherinest!!”
Heading up the kitchen will be head chef Chris Shail, who previously worked alongside Oliver for eight years, along with pastry chef Emma Jackson, who has worked at Soho Farmhouse and Petersham Nurseries. The duo will work alongside Jamie to create a menu ‘that is reflective of Jamie’s love of Britain’s rich and diverse food culture, and champions independent producers and suppliers’.
Heading up the front of house team will be general manager Caezer Cruz who has worked with Oliver for 16 years.
“I’m extraordinarily excited to be opening Jamie Oliver Catherine Street in the heart of Covent Garden, and stepping back into the UK restaurant industry that I love so dearly,” says Oliver.
“It feels like an opportunity to celebrate where I’ve come from, and I’ll be sharing dishes inspired by the food that’s shaped me, dishes that I grew up cooking on the line. My hope is that Jamie Oliver Catherine Street will be a wonderfully welcoming, happy place to dine, with great service, and delicious food at its heart.
“We’ll be going big on daily specials and have a robust menu that offers something for everyone. It definitely feels like a pivotal moment in my career, and some of the very best of my restaurant teams over the years have come back to join me on this next part of the journey. To say I’m excited is an understatement.”
The new restaurant marks a permanent return to the UK restaurant scene for Oliver whose UK business collapsed back in 2019, leading to the
closure of the chef’s nationwide Jamie’s Italian chain, as well as his Barbecoa and Fifteen restaurants.
