With DH Evans and Debenhams closing on Oxford Street, at least one department store is planning to stay there for the long haul. John Lewis has just announced a major refurbishment, and as part of that, they’ve hired Jamie Oliver as editor-in-chief.
The chef, who hasn’t opened any new restaurants in London since opening his Catherine Street restaurant in 2023, is opening a new cookery school and cafe on the third floor of the store.
The cafe will seat 50 people and will be right next to the cookery school. Exactly what will be on offer is unclear, but it’s understood salads and focaccia sandwiches will be on offer, with bread from The Dusty Knuckle, and other suppliers including meat from HG Walters, sustainable fish from Stickleback, and English sparkling wine from Liberty Wines. All meals will be made on site by the cookery school’s chefs.
The cookery school will run two classes, each seating 24 people, all equipped with the latest technology. Courses include Vietnamese, Mexican or Thai street food, pasta-making classes, tapas and more. There will also be guest lectures and special classes from Calum Franklin, Noor Murad and Ben Tish.
If you want to try something very different on your next trip to Oxford Street, this might be worth considering.
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