Jamie Oliver

[BrabusMog]

Stussy said:

I remember when he first started out as the naked chef, he made bold claims of not going to sell out, do adverts or any of that stuff, he obviously conveniently forgot all of that

I didn't realise that but it doesn't surprise me!

We watched the show about him last night and he was back with the crocodile tears when he was in one of his failed restaurants which just infuriates me as it's just treating the people watching the show like we're thick!

I am a hypocrite though as I do like his quick meal recipes! I'm not a fan of his over enthusiasm but the recipes are easy to follow and do work well!

[Tyre Smoke]

Murph7355 said:

Despise is quite strong for someone you've probably never met

I'm prepared to give him a pass for his fish pie recipe alone.

I know. But really I do.

[alfaman]

Nickgnome said:

I’ve never really understood why chain restaurants have such an attraction..

Predictability / know what you’ll get.

Particularly if away from home base.

Some chains can be good- a lot are middling / nothing special

[Venisonpie]

zygalski said:

Christ it's a bit rich from MPW.
He's had more closures than the A259.

I think he's a rather unhappy bloke. Always seems to be angry. Like Daily Mail readers I suppose.

[Initforthemoney]

We visit our local and sometimes, not so local Prezzo and the food is always good.

Can't get better than that!

[The Hypno-Toad]

Initforthemoney said:

We visit our local and sometimes, not so local Prezzo and the food is always good.

Can't get better than that!

Agreed.

Tried to eat at one of Olivers Italian places a couple of times, the first time was told there was a three hour wait and the other time was that they were shutting early as they didn't have a enough staff. Have a couple of friends who did manage to eat there and the universal review was that it was overpriced for what it was and the service was diabolical. Basically Prezzos does the same thing much, much better.

I see now he has jumped from Sainsburys to Shell and now Tescos. I am quite surprised anyone would want his brand now but hey-ho.

[chrispmartha]

I've only eaten at a Jamies Italian once - can't comment on price as it was a freebie, it was OK I suppose but not sure what I would have thought if I'd paid for it.

My lasting memory was that they had Thomas Crapper toilets in the mens which are lovely (as far as toilets go!) They also cost an absolute fortune so I'm blaming the Thomas Crapper toilets for the restaurants going down the crapper :-)

[T-195]

The Hypno-Toad said:

I am quite surprised anyone would want his brand now but hey-ho.

Jamie Ratner.

[anonymous-user]

Johnnytheboy said:

Nickgnome said:

I’ve never really understood why chain restaurants have such an attraction. There are a plethora of small restaurants, cafes and independent gastropubs where great meals can be enjoyed.

I generally avoid establishments with massive menus and much prefer limited menus done well.

Good God I thought I disagreed with you on everything but that's bang on.

Being part of a chain or a big menu actively repel me from going somewhere.

Actually, I disagree. I’m absolutely no fan of chain restaurants but to claim a “plethora” of great alternatives is simply wrong. Certain parts of the country are (relatively) well catered for but others are absolute deserts. Sure, we all know the chi-chi gastropub where local produce is cooked to order (although many gastropubs rely on derivatives of the same products that chains use) but if it happens to be a 10 mile drive it isn’t always convenient. Unfortunately I don’t see the fortunes of independents rising much as they face the same cost pressures as the chains and the vacated properties are too large/too high rent. Like boozing, maybe more eating will be taking place at home in the mid-term.

[anonymous-user]

Tyre Smoke said:

Murph7355 said:

Despise is quite strong for someone you've probably never met

I'm prepared to give him a pass for his fish pie recipe alone.

I know. But really I do.

Why?

[pavarotti1980]

zygalski said:

Christ it's a bit rich from MPW.
He's had more closures than the A259.

I think his point is that he is trying to blame the B word.

[anonymous-user]

pavarotti1980 said:

zygalski said:

Christ it's a bit rich from MPW.
He's had more closures than the A259.

I think his point is that he is trying to blame the B word.

Although the point that should put MPW back in his ghastly franchised restaurants at Holiday Inn is that he only said Brexit was a factor. He didn't "try to blame" Brexit at all.

[Vaud]

alfaman said:

Nickgnome said:

I’ve never really understood why chain restaurants have such an attraction..

Predictability / know what you’ll get.

Particularly if away from home base.

Some chains can be good- a lot are middling / nothing special

We don't tend to use chains, but Pizza Express is ok (esp with deals from their app) and a predictable way of feeding a 2 and 6 year old. Plus they have colouring pens and hats (if you ask nicely they will give the kids some as well). Ingredients are pretty high quality.

Yo Sushi is our only local sushi place so they get some custom as well (also fun with the conveyor)

[So]

Vaud said:

Yo Sushi is our only local sushi place so they get some custom as well (also fun with the conveyor)

I recently contracted a nasty gut parasite as a result of.. how shall I put this... getting someone’s st in my stomach (and I am not into THAT sort of sex).

When I saw the spotty trainee at our local Yo Sushi handling the food without gloves and putting it straight on the conveyor I decided to swerve Yo in future.

There may have been no connection between the two occurrences and I do of course realise that a grubby chef may handle cooked food behind the scenes. But at least with cooked food anything contaminating it prior to cooking will probably have been killed.

[Vaud]

So said:

I recently contracted a nasty gut parasite as a result of.. how shall I put this... getting someone’s st in my stomach (and I am not into THAT sort of sex).

When I saw the spotty trainee at our local Yo Sushi handling the food without gloves and putting it straight on the conveyor I decided to swerve Yo in future.

There may have been no connection between the two occurrences and I do of course realise that a grubby chef may handle cooked food behind the scenes. But at least with cooked food anything contaminating it prior to cooking will probably have been killed.

I like open kitchens- you can at least see it. IIRC there is no requirement to wear gloves when handling food - raw or cooked (unless they have broken skin). Even with gloves, cross contamination can happen. Cooked food carries equal risks if they touch it after it is cooked...

[So]

Vaud said:

I like open kitchens- you can at least see it. IIRC there is no requirement to wear gloves when handling food - raw or cooked (unless they have broken skin). Even with gloves, cross contamination can happen. Cooked food carries equal risks if they touch it after it is cooked...

Sure but said spotty youth would probably not have worn gloves when taking a dump.

All the more senior staff there used to wear gloves.

[pavarotti1980]

Roman Rhodes said:

Although the point that should put MPW back in his ghastly franchised restaurants at Holiday Inn is that he only said Brexit was a factor. He didn't "try to blame" Brexit at all.

its still bks. He is lacking in self-awareness if he thinks it does. Overpriced bang average bait similar to Wetherspoons in microwave(bility) in buildings who charge sky high rents.

[anonymous-user]

pavarotti1980 said:

Roman Rhodes said:

Although the point that should put MPW back in his ghastly franchised restaurants at Holiday Inn is that he only said Brexit was a factor. He didn't "try to blame" Brexit at all.

its still bks. He is lacking in self-awareness if he thinks it does. Overpriced bang average bait similar to Wetherspoons in microwave(bility) in buildings who charge sky high rents.

Did JO use microwaves?

Did JO sell as much booze as Wetherspoons?

Does the exchange rate does affect the price of things?

Has the Brexit vote given people with marginal discretionary spend the jitters?

Agree the rents are high (as did JO). Don’t know what you mean by him lacking self-awareness.

[anonymous-user]

So said:

Vaud said:

I like open kitchens- you can at least see it. IIRC there is no requirement to wear gloves when handling food - raw or cooked (unless they have broken skin). Even with gloves, cross contamination can happen. Cooked food carries equal risks if they touch it after it is cooked...

Sure but said spotty youth would probably not have worn gloves when taking a dump.

All the more senior staff there used to wear gloves.

Ever been in a factory where ingredients for mass-produced sandwiches are handled? No gloves!

[Europa1]

Roman Rhodes said:

Did JO use microwaves?

Did JO sell as much booze as Wetherspoons?

Does the exchange rate does affect the price of things?

Has the Brexit vote given people with marginal discretionary spend the jitters?

Agree the rents are high (as did JO). Don’t know what you mean by him lacking self-awareness.

The Cambridge branch certainly seemed to use ready made chips - we went on a bank holiday only to be told chips were off because they hadn't had a delivery that day. It was evidently beyond the wit of any of the staff to go the nearby Sainbury's and buy some spuds. And the wine came in Tetrapak style containers. I didn't rate it as a place to eat at all, which was a great shame, as it was in a lovely building.