Jamie Oliver’s Pizzeria: The famous chef’s first and last Australian restaurant falters with more than a million dollars
Jamie Oliver has seen his last restaurant in Australia close its doors after being placed into voluntary administration.
Jamie Oliver’s Pizzeria at the Gold Coast’s Pacific Fair was the celebrity chef’s first restaurant in Australia and was closed on September 8, following the closure of his many other restaurants in Australia in recent years.
The venue was managed by Hallmark Hospitality Group, which oversees several other restaurants and nightclubs in the Gold Coast region.
A Hallmark director, Matt Heanen, told directors Anne Meagher and Matthew Bookless of SV Partners that the company had only $7,336 to its name.
Mr. Heanen also said the company owed $91,843 in rent and $915,681 in payments to related parties, totaling just over $1 million.
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver (pictured) has seen his last restaurant in Australia close after being placed into voluntary administration due to more than $1 million in debt.
Addressing the Gold Coast BulletinMr Bookless said it appeared all payments had been made to employees before the closure.
He said the company’s failure was due to the “strain” placed on consumers’ pockets during the cost of living crisis, which had a direct impact on business.
“We know that the Jamie Oliver brand is loved by local and international customers, and we are currently seeking new location opportunities for Jamie Oliver Pizzeria restaurants,” said a statement on behalf of the company.
“We would like to thank our customers, employees, suppliers and the Gold Coast community for their support of the Pacific Fair venue.”
The restaurant’s website says a “new location will be available soon.”
The business opened in October 2019, just five months after the chef’s British restaurant chain collapsed, leaving more than 1,000 people unemployed and debts of more than $160 million.
Gold Coast restaurant Jamie Oliver’s Pizzeria (pictured) was closed on September 8 after blaming its declining business on customers having tight pockets during a cost of living crisis.
Oliver described the Gold Coast as “the perfect city to launch Jamie Oliver’s Down Under Pizzeria” when it opened.
“I am confident that locals, tourists and especially families will love it,” he said.
It comes after Jamie Oliver was named among other celebrity chefs who are being considered to replace the late Jock Zonfrillo as host of Masterchef Australia.
“International names such as Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson and Shannon Bennett have all been mentioned,” a source told Woman’s Day.
The network is also reportedly considering bringing back “heritage” names to the series, such as original judges George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan, to attract older viewers.
