BRITISH celebrity chef Jamie Oliver will design kitchens in homes and also open his first two restaurants in the Middle East - both at the Water neighbourhood of Jumeirah Golf Estates.
The announcement, made by Jamie Oliver to mark the sales launch of Water neighbourhood properties, marks the most extensive partnership deal between a real estate developer (Leisurecorp) and a chef.
Working in partnership with luxury brand Poggenpohl, Jamie Oliver has set out to design his perfect kitchen space, encouraging interaction and entertaining, while fitting the spacious open plan designs of the Water properties. Fully equipped with all kitchen essentials and featuring a dedicated prep counter, oversized feature fridge and a multi purpose island.
The two restaurants - Jamie’s Italian and a new barbecue concept – will be located in the Water neighbourhood’s “life centre”, an expansive leisure and entertainment facility to service the properties that will also feature landscaped gardens, numerous pools, a flow river, an 18 hole putting course, gym and fitness centre and luxury hotel.
In addition, Jamie Oliver will create the Middle East’s first ‘Kitchen Library’ – a lending space for all culinary equipment and cookbooks for budding chefs – and a new ‘Grab and Go’ retail concept will provide nutritious, delicious meals for residents to enjoy at home.
Jamie Oliver said, “I’m really excited to be working in Dubai, particularly with Leisurecorp and Poggenpohl who have allowed me to express myself through these fantastic kitchens which I hope will inspire people to cook good food and entertain.”
“As for the restaurants, what an amazing place to open my first international Jamie’s Italian. In the UK, people really love the high-quality, affordable, and authentic Italian food and I know it will be the same in Dubai. The BBQ restaurant will be a new concept and it’s something that we’ll be developing over the next few months. Again, I’m really excited about it.”
Alan Rogers, group CEO of Jumeirah Golf Estates’s owner Leisurecorp said, “We do not believe anyone has ever created such a wide-ranging and innovative culinary partnership or that such a well known chef has designed kitchens for properties in a residential development, so we’re obviously delighted to have Jamie Oliver on board.”
The Water neighbour-hood will contain a mix of villas, townhouses and apartments, all fitted with Jamie Oliver designed kitchens. In addition to the “life centre”, the facilities on offer will include the Vijay Singh designed championship golf course and the Chris Evert Tennis Centre.
The Water course is one of four courses being developed at Jumeirah Golf Estates, and will be ready for play by the end of 2011. From 2009, Jumeirah Golf Estates will host the inaugural Dubai World Championship, the richest golf tournament in the world, and will also become the home of The European Tour’s International Headquarters.