Jamie's show to put youngster in charge

A new show will see Jamie Oliver will pick one of his Jamie's Kitchen graduates to run their own restaurant.

Fifty youngsters – previously unemployed – have now benefited from the restaurant training scheme Oliver launched five years ago. After a tough start, with the celebrity chef risking a huge cash loss, the project is now on its way to breaking even.

Meanwhile, Oliver is ready to move to the next stage of his plan and give his protégées an even bigger challenge.

In Cutting the Apron Strings he will pick one of his students to face the sizeable task of running their own restaurant. The lucky candidate will then be trained by Oliver, as he attempts to prepare them as best as possible.

Channel 4 producers accept that creating a successful new restaurant work takes a great deal of commitment and skill. They are keen to see whether the chef can find a trainee who has what it takes.

Dominique Walker, commissioning editor for factual entertainment, said: “Over the last five years we’ve worked with Jamie on a succession of amazing projects which have been more than just great telly - including the fantastic achievements of Jamie’s School Dinners last year.

“Jamie’s Kitchen and the restaurant have always been a huge part of Jamie’s work and his passion," he added. "Cutting the Apron Strings is a wonderful opportunity to see if we can create a new generation of restaurateurs out of a pool of some of the most underprivileged young people in Britain.”