Jamie Oliver to discuss collapse of restaurant group in new documentary
20 Years of The Naked Chef: Jamie Bares All does not yet have an air date, but will screen on Channel 4 and highlight “memorable Jamie moments from the past two decades”.
It will be presented by Davina McCall and chart the chef’s career including his “accidental discovery at The River Café, rise to fame as iconic Brit-pop chef…and the more recent closure of his much-loved restaurant group”.
The chef shut 22 of his UK restaurants, including the entire Jamie’s Italian chain and his Barbecoa and Fifteen sites in London, last month with the loss of around 1,000 jobs.
The programme, commissioned by Channel 4 and produced by Jamie Oliver Productions, will see cameras go inside Oliver's home and meet his family, as well as cover the “inner-workings of his business”.
It will also catch up with students who appeared on Jamie’s School Dinners and discuss the chef's campaigning work.
The Channel 4 announcement says: “During his time with Davina, Jamie discusses some of his difficult times in the spotlight, and lays bare the truth about being The Naked Chef. He also explains what motivates him, as he outlines his vision for the future and how he would like to spend the next 10 years.”
Oliver says: “I hope everyone enjoys looking back with me at the past two decades, remembering the amazing times and some tough times… not to mention a few dodgy haircuts along the way.”
Despite the decline of the chef’s UK restaurant business his media empire, including television shows and books, are still highly successful. Revenues rose £2m to £32m in 2017, while underlying profits increased 45% to £8m.
Oliver's three remaining UK restaurants at Gatwick Airport were sold to food travel specialists SSP last week, though it is not clear if their new owner will keep the Jamie brand names.
