The Naked Chef Goes Italian
I think Jamie Oliver is a brilliant person, but when Italian is not the first thing that comes to mind when I hear his name.
The first branch of “Jamie’s Italian” is due to open in Bath in the spring. Others are planned for Cambridge and Brighton and within a few years, Oliver is intending to open up to 40 “neighbourhood” restaurants serving “authentic” Italian food.
Ahh, but if we read the article we find out more…
Oliver’s mentor, Gennaro Contaldo, the executive chef and co-owner of Passione in Charlotte Street, London, has been helping with the menu and the staff training. “So it’ll all be completely authentic, rustic Italian,” added Oliver.
All pasta will be freshly made on site and the bread will be created daily by artisan bakers. The chicken will be free-range.
Gennaro Contaldo is creating the menu. He’s also training the staff. So the whole thing will be completely authentic, rustic, Italian… well, except for the Jamie Oliver name stamped above the door.
Still not too sure about this one.

That meal your wife made looked extraordinary! I look forward to seeing the receipe. Just a little aside…what is with the barely covered bazongas? Did I miss those the last time I was here? It’s hard to cook when your clothes are dropping off you all the time, which is what would happen to her if she let loose of the sheet, no question. Great Site!
I’ll be posting that recipe soon.
As for the “barely covered bazongas”, yes, they have been there the whole time.
Bazongas indeed. I’ve never eaten Jamie Olivers food, but I do like his shows.
I have a few of his early books and watch some of his shows but the more of these businesses he opens the closer he is getting to be like a chain restaurant (Macdonalds anyone!), once that thought is in peoples minds his business will be shot.
I agree. Once these “celebrity” chefs put their name on enough items, whether they are books, restaurants, cooking utensils, dishes, pots and pans, or whatever, they reach a saturation level that makes me want something else. Anything else.
Except Mario. He’s the man. Oh yeah, and Chef John. I would definitely buy “Video Cooking For Dummies” if he wrote it.