Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Cornwall closes after nearly 14 years
The social enterprise has shut its doors after almost 14 years of trading, with the loss of 100 jobs.
Fifteen Cornwall survived the collapse of Oliver’s wider restaurant business earlier this year as it uses his name under license but is run separately by the Cornwall Food Foundation charitable trust.
Oliver told The Guardian he was “very surprised and saddened” to hear of the closure, and described it as a “huge blow”.
In a statement, Fifteen says: “We are deeply saddened to announce that today Fifteen Cornwall will close and cease trading with immediate effect.
“We are profoundly sorry for the hurt, loss and distress this announcement will undoubtedly cause. We are extremely grateful to all our loyal customers, supporters and amazing suppliers and to the partners, staff and trainees that have made Fifteen Cornwall and the Cornwall Food Foundation so special for almost 14 years. Big Love x.”
The business trained unemployed people to work as chefs in its kitchen, and over the years worked with hundreds of apprentices.
It was inspired by Oliver’s debut London restaurant, also named Fifteen, which he opened in 2002. The site shut alongside the Jamie's Italian chain in May, but the chef said he hoped to resurrect the project in another form.
Two international restaurants opened under the Fifteen brand in Melbourne and Amsterdam but closed in 2010 and 2016 respectively.
“This is an incredibly sad day for everyone and we will try our best to support those who have been impacted,” says Matthew Thomson, chief executive of Cornwall Food Foundation.
