Apart from Robert de Niro, whose involvement in upmarket Japanese restaurant group Nobu has mainly been silent, successful celebrity-run restaurants have been far and few between.
Does anyone still remember the Planet Hollywood-inspired and equally ghastly Fashion Café, backed by the likes of Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer? Or Damien Hirst's London restaurant Pharmacy?
You'd think these high profile failures would have taught celebrities aspiring to become restaurateurs a few lessons but no, an increasing number of them seem hell-bent on taking the plunge.
There's Jack Tweed, widower to the late Jade Goody and current jail-bird, who plans to launch a "posh restaurant in Essex" (spot the paradox anyone?) in his late wife's honour.
Then we have Heather Mills, alleged gold digger and ex to Paul McCartney, who recently announced her forthcoming vegan restaurant in Brighton and megalomaniac plans to roll the concept out internationally.
Joining her in Brighton is radio personality and X Factor presenter Dermot O'Leary, who together with two mates will open Fishy Fishy in June. (No prizes for guessing what'll be on the menu.)
Last but not least, Danielle Bux, girlfriend to ex-footballer and potato head, sorry Walkers crisps face, Gary Lineker, wants to open a pub together with her beau. Having just endured Hell's Kitchen, you'd think she'd know better but hey, some people never learn.
Why do celebrities think they can run restaurants? And is it just me or do all of the above sound like recipes for disaster?
Picture of Planet Hollywood Leceister Square supplied by Rex Features.
| Tweet |
|
Any restaurant that’s professionally organised , front and back of house, gives the impression that it runs itself.
However, much like any business, it is the smooth running and effortless ease that the customer sees that belies the untiring dedication, hard graft and team-work that is consistently delivered to achieve this.
I wonder whether celebrities think the higher they are in the ‘flavour of the month’ league the more successful their establishment will be or at least that it will be enough, initially, to put bums on seats.
Many learn too late that all businesses survive to a degree on personal involvement along with a high quality of product, service and staff. You need a good blend of all four and even then a modicum of luck is not a bad ingredient to have as well.
"Last but not least"...I do remember quite vividly the days when a pub was considered the rite of passage for a footballer to invest his testimonial money in to secure his retirement pension. How the current celebrity in football has changed that notion...or is Gary Lineker trying to revive old football traditions?
The link between showbusiness and hospitality is obvious, in both trades you are putting on a performance for paying customers, so it's no surprise that a few celebrities have put money into restaurants. Not all have been disasters - wasn't Michael Caine a partner in Langhams?
What I'd like to see is more well known personalities taking on the host role. Perhaps then the public would be more appreciative of the front of house skills that can make or break a dining experience and take the spotlight off chefs for five minutes.