We're going to do Halal meat, of course. But it will also be meat of wonderful providence as well - and not just steaks and posh cuts. We're going to be doing cauldron cooking, pit cooking, whole spit-roast animals, all with really delicious flavours - hot smoking, cold smoking, coal and wood fired, plus we'll have our own butchers there on site.

We'll be working the team up in England, then everyone will come out here when we launch it. It'll be the first time we've ever done this concept, so it's really going to need a lot of preparation.

What do you think of the food scene in Dubai?

You've got some good names here, that's for sure. I think it'll be nice though to come out here and create something unique - if I don't achieve that I'll be gutted.

What I'm trying to do is almost the complete opposite of the big-name chefs out here. I'm a great believer that it's about the little details. I could say you know what, there's so many well-off people here - I'll charge 100 quid a head and I'll be booked solid for the next five years', but that's not what I want to do.

I want to do a good job, offer a fair price - Jamie's Italian is wonderfully good value. I'm not sure how getting the ingredients is going to affect the price but I don't think it'll be horrific. Anyone will be able to come in and eat there.

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Barbeque will be a bit more pricey, because we're using more prime cuts and other bits and pieces, but I don't want to take the piss.

Basically we should be able to create something special here and really unique.

I'd much rather be in a lower bracket of spend with people happy to come in once a twice a week, either for breakfast lunch or dinner. And if you're not caning their wallet, they're happy.

The only complaint I've heard about Dubai, from people who've been on holiday here, is the price of dinners, so I don't want to go anywhere near that. And we certainly won't be doing any four-hour eat-and-drink-as-much-as-you-can brunches, or any buffets. I don't like bargain barrels; that's the kind of thing you get in Magalouf.

But if you want a top meal that's well priced, plus a bit of an experience, then we'll definitely look after you.

Will you be coming back to the restaurants regularly once they're up and running?

Of course; this isn't a job, it's a relationship. I've already been on the phone to the missus - I struggle having holidays because I'm always getting bothered. But this is an interesting option; if you're hyperactive like me you can go sand-boarding or skiing and it's actually a decent place, it's safe. Plus the paparazzi get locked up - I love it!

 

The restaurants

The two restaurants - Jamie's Italian and the innovative new barbeque concept - will be located in the Water neighbourhood's Life Centre, a leisure and entertainment facility for residents, opening in 2011.

From next year, Jumeirah Golf Estates will host the Dubai World Championship, which will take place on the Greg Norman-designed Earth course. Jamie's Italian will open in the clubhouse for the championship next year, before moving on to its permanent location (Water) in 2011.