British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's restaurant business has gone into administration putting over 1,000 jobs at risk.
The chef, who has struggled to break into the Dubai culinary scene, announced the news on Tuesday.
In a statement he said: "I am deeply saddened by this outcome and would like to thank all of the staff and our suppliers who have put their hearts and souls into this business for over a decade, it’s been a real pleasure serving you.
I’m devastated that our much-loved UK restaurants have gone into administration. I am deeply saddened by this outcome and would like to thank all of the people who have put their hearts and souls into this business over the years. Jamie Oliver
— Jamie Oliver (@jamieoliver) May 21, 2019
“We launched Jamie’s Italian in 2008 with the intention of positively disrupting mid-market dining in the UK high street, with great value and much higher quality ingredients, best-in-class animal welfare standards and an amazing team who shared my passion for great food and service. And we did exactly that.”
KPMG have been appointed as administrators of the UK-based restaurant business.
It is understood the international restaurant franchise business, which includes more than 25 Jamie’s Italians and his Fifteen Cornwall brand will be unaffected.
Last year the television chef launched a new pizzeria in Jumeirah Lakes Towers in Dubai.
His previous two Jamie's Italian ventures in the emirates closed following mixed reviews.
The administration could mark the end of Oliver’s UK restaurant empire, which began with the opening of Fifteen in London in 2002.
The group had been seeking buyers in recent months after the brand was put up for sale following heavy competition.
Last year sales at Jamie’s Italian dropped by 11% to £101m as it closed 12 restaurants and made about 600 staff redundant.
