Jamie Oliver to launch new international ‘dining concept’

Jamie Oliver’s international restaurant business has announced the launch of its new all day dining concept, Jamie Oliver Kitchen.

The first two sites to open under the new concept are in Bali Kuta Beach and Bangkok Siam Discovery, both run by franchise partner HPL. These sites will be converted from a Jamie’s Italian and will relaunch as Jamie Oliver Kitchen on 21 and 28 November respectively.

It comes after his Jamie’s Italian, Barbecoa and Fifteen restaurants closed across the UK following the administration of the Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group in May of this year. KPMG was appointed to handle the process and over 1,000 jobs were lost as 22 sites were shuttered.

According to the group, the new dining concept will offer all-day eating “at its best”, and will have a relaxed and contemporary feel. Key features also include an open kitchen, a cafe area, flexible seating with both larger tables for sharing and soft areas to lounge in, as well as casual bar dining.

Menus will also tap into the “very best of Jamie Oliver”, and will be “easily adapted” to local flavours and food trends, which the Jamie Oliver Group said will give each restaurant “the ability to evolve alongside changing consumer tastes”.

However, it is still unclear whether the new dining concept will also launch in the UK.

Oliver said: “Over the past 20 years, I have travelled around the world to discover exciting flavour combinations, picking up incredible influences along the way. The new restaurants will bring those inspirations to life and serve some of my absolute all-time favourites.

“Whether you want to grab a quick bite in a relaxed setting, have a proper sit down meal with friends and family, or grab a drink at the bar, we have created a beautiful space for everyone to enjoy the food I truly love.”

Paul Hunt, chief executive of The Jamie Oliver Group, said: “While diners around the world continue to enjoy our established brands including Jamie’s Italian, we wanted to add to our portfolio and create a concept that allows us to really showcase the best of Jamie Oliver, while giving our franchise partners in each market the flexibility to adapt menus to local tastes and trends.”