Jamie Oliver says he will not buy Little Chef

21 September 2007 - Jamie Oliver has denied reports that he is planning to put in a bid to buy restaurant chain Little Chef.

The TV chef's comments come after stories began circulating which claimed that his television production company, Fresh One Productions, was planning to buy the chain.

It was reported that Jamie would bid £20 million for the troubled business, give its menu a makeover and film a reality show about the experience.

However, his spokesperson commented: "Jamie is not buying Little Chef and none of his companies are buying Little Chef.

"Fresh One did have an early conversation but decided no further progress would be necessary. The idea that Fresh One had in mind did not involve Jamie."

Little Chef operates 192 roadside restaurants across Britain, which attract more than 20 million visitors each year. In January, the firm went into administration and was bailed out by private equity firm RCapital.

Last month, it was reported that fellow celeb chef Gordon Ramsay had invited Little Chef to appear on his Channel 4 show Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares.

Previously, Ramsay had slammed the restaurant chain in his autobiography, Humble Pie, stating that it "employ[s] people who can use the technology they have installed to heat up pre-prepared food".

© Adfero Ltd