CELEBRITY chef Jamie Oliver said his restaurant will bring something really special to Chelmsford after it was confirmed his new Italian restaurant will open in the city next month.

The Essex boy, 39, who shot to culinary stardom as the Naked Chef, will move into the former Barclays Bank building in the High Street in mid-October.

The chef exclusively told the Weekly News: “I’m beyond excited about opening our first restaurant in my home county – I’ve wanted to open here for such a long time, and now it's finally happening!

“The site we’ve found is wonderful, and I just know that the Trattoria is going to bring something really special to the people of Chelmsford.

“We'll be serving from brekkie, right through to dinner, including beautiful grills, seasonal salads, fresh pastas and epic wood-fired pizzas, all made daily, from scratch, on site. I just know you guys are going to love it.”

The restaurant, Trattoria, would be only the second of its kind in the country and could create up to 40 jobs. The first opened in Richmond, West London last July.

Trattoria is the latest in the TV chef’s chain of Italian restaurants, which are smaller and more rustic than the Jamie’s Kitchen outlets.

A spokeswoman for the restaurant said: “We’re hoping the Tratt will be a real social hub with a nice buzzy, warm, home-from-home feel.

“We’ll be opening our doors at 10am every morning so that anyone can pop in and read the papers over a freshly ground coffee and a breakfast pastry.”

Under the planning proposals, the building’s ground floor and basement would be converted into kitchens and dining space with a bar area too.

There are also plans for a fully decked terrace at the back of the building.

The spokeswoman added: “As always, the menu will be produce-driven, with all ingredients higher welfare, sustainably sourced and of the quality you’d expect from a Jamie Oliver restaurant.”

Recruitment days are being held soon for waiters, bar staff and line chefs at the restaurant.

These days are next Tuesday (16) and Tuesday September 23.

Those interested should submit their details to restaurantjobs@ jamieoliver.com