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A London restaurateur says hospitality staffing shortages have led him to make an open call for a chef to start a new restaurant with James Chiavarini, right, who owns Il Portico in Kensington, said he is looking for a partner. “You don’t need any money, all you need is a good idea and a willingness to work,” he told The Londoner.
The “total and utter catastrophe” of staff shortages leading to a lack of movement in the industry have pushed him towards the request, Chiavarini said, though some experience in restaurants was important. “I’m not just going to let any old pigeon fancier come up. If it’s all fur coat and no knickers, I’m not interested”.
“I don’t really have all the answers but the chances are is that other people have got better answers than me” Chiavarini said Il Portico is one of London’s oldest family run restaurants, opened by his grandfather.
He has been approached by a TV company about filming the idea. “It’s a bit like the Apprentice, but without the egos,” he said.
Tune in to the Scouse Trap
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Rebekah and Coleen, the TV show? Actress Rebecca Humphries, left, says appearing in a drama of the Wags libel saga is already a dream role of hers. “If I could play anyone, I would play Rebekah Vardy in the Wagatha Christie scandal” she told us at the Penelope Chilvers launch party last night. “Or Coleen, I’m not bothered”. Humphries is currently starring in Ten Percent, the British spin off of French show Call My Agent! And she’s already thought of a title. “It would be called The Scouse Trap”.
Charithra on colourism
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Bridgerton actor Charithra Chandran spent her life trying to keep her skin paler until Hollywood success brought self-acceptance. “I spent my life avoiding the sun” said the British star, who plays Edwina Sharma in the second series. Colourism led Chandran to wear hats and cover her skin, she said, but after the show, that all changed. “I walked out and I was like, ‘I can feel it. I can tan.’ And I can feel beautiful.”
Coldplay man ponders greenest alternative
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Coldplay were accused of “greenwashing” as they partnered with an oil firm for a more eco-friendly tour. But singer Chris Martin accepts there are other ways of saving the planet. “The best thing we could all do... is either disappear from the planet altogether or not go anywhere” he sighs. “Our critics could easily say that would be a much better option”. Don’t be so hard on yourself.
Partying on the roof
Models Keven and Karlon Bonsu and Ikram Abdi Omar helped ES magazine open Laurel’s On The Roof restaurant at Mondrian Shoreditch yesterday. Actor Jaime Winstone chatted with DJ Princess Julia, who told us she was “getting excited about the summer season”, just before a torrential shower. Across town Vivienne Acheampong and Cush Jumbo watched My Fair Lady at the Coliseum. There was only slightly less debauchery at the IMAX in Waterloo, where Sir David Attenborough launched his new Apple show Prehistoric Planet.