The last Australian restaurant of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has closed, despite still owing him $1 million.
Jamie Oliver Pizzeria Pacific Fair was placed in voluntary administration last week after four years at the Gold Coast location.
The Gold Coast Bulletin reported that Hallmark Hospitality Group, which managed the restaurant, director Matt Heanen informed administrators that the restaurant only had $7336 in its bank.
It owed just over $1,000,000 in debt, including $91,000 for rent and $915,000.00 to third parties.
Pizzeria Pacific Fair, the restaurant’s owners, issued a press release thanking patrons for their support over the last four years.
A spokesperson stated that “after four years of operation Jamie Oliver’s Pizzeria at Pacific Fair closed its doors on August 23”,
We are looking for new locations to open Jamie Oliver’s Pizzerias.
We want to thank all of our customers, employees, and suppliers, as well as the Gold Coast Community, for their support of the Pacific Fair venue.
Jamie’s Italian Restaurants will close in four Australian cities in March 2020, making it the final celebrity chef restaurant to do so.
Hallmark Hospitality Group is responsible for a number of Queensland nightclubs, restaurants, and bars, including Finn McCool’s Retro’s on the Gold Coast and Brisbane.
Anne Meagher of SV Partners and Matt Bookless from SV Partners have been appointed administrators to oversee the entire process.
Oliver will be returning to Australia to give a talk in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on November 15 in conversation with MasterChef host Melissa Leeong.
