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The twins said they did not want a ‘posh meal’ in the hotel restaurant if they were going to have one at the opening of the Trattoria Trevi Worthing the next evening, so Jinnie, Paolo, the twins and Izzy were in the lounge of the Ardington Hotel browsing the ‘Snack’ menu. Paolo looked up from the menu and said, “I’m not sure why they call this a ‘snack’ menu, it is actually quite extensive, I’m going to have ham, egg and chips, it is so very British, but I love to dip my chips in the yolks of the fried egg.” “We’re having omelette and chips,” said Millie. “It’s a pity George is on shift,” said Willie, “he loves scampi.” “So do I,” said Izzy, “so I’m going to have that.” “So am I,” said Jinnie.
As they waited for their order Jinnie reflected on how familiar she had become with the route from Potters Bar to Worthing and how the twins had demanded that she take them with her to the opening of the latest Trattoria Trevi, as they wanted to try the amusements on the pier. George had given them each a pound in 2p coins to put in the slot machines, saying he would have spent that on them if he had not been working. Jinnie happily remembered how when the twins had got home from school they had raced upstairs to get out of their school uniforms, appearing again very quickly in matching jeans and pullovers. She and Izzy tried to dress them differently, as they were not identical, how could they be, they were not the same sex, but they often chose to wear similar things. Just as they liked the same things, often finished each other’s sentences, one talking for both of them, and they even got the same marks in school tests.
Soon the food arrived and everyone tucked in silently until suddenly Willie started waving to someone behind Jinnie, saying, “You didn’t tell us Uncle Rick was going to be here.” “That’s because I didn’t know he would be here,” replied Jinnie, “he’s not on the official guest list for tomorrow. Lots of people you know are, but not him.” By that time Rick had seen the frantically waving twins and came over, leaving half a dozen men in suits near the reception desk. “Hi everyone,” he said, smiling, “I never for a moment thought I would see you all here this evening. But as you are here boss, you can be the first to know that we have been in discussions all day about adding the Ardington to the Ennios chain and we have just shaken hands on a deal. Now it is all down to the lawyers to draw up the contracts and finalise things.”
“Congratulations,” said Jinnie, “we’re here for the opening of the new Trattoria Trevi tomorrow.” “Gosh,” said Rick, “I didn’t realise that it was opening tomorrow. I must phone Alberto to talk about our idea of short gourmet breaks.” “Were you heading for the restaurant?” asked Jinnie, “because I think you will find him in there. He is dining with Sir Nigel, they are both down for tomorrow’s opening and knowing we were thinking of adding this hotel to the Ennios chain, he wanted to see what the chef was like. I bet you find them tucking into the fillet steak, they must try it whenever they find it on a menu.”
“Are you going to be having a drink in here when you have finished your meal?” asked Rick. “I expect so,” said Jinnie, “Izzy will be taking the twins up to bed but Paolo and I will probably stay for a drink.” “That’s good,” said Rick, “I’d like to introduce you to Ken Cooper, the general manager, I’m minded keeping him on, he seems to be running a tight ship on the budget he has been allowed by the owners. I intend to sound him out over dinner. I get the impression the brothers will be retiring to Scotland, and they have already gone home.”
***
Alberto and Sir Nigel joined Jinnie and Paolo in the lounge when they had finished their meals. Alberto said, “That was a decent meal, they have a good chef, but I would make a few changes if I were Rick.” “Let me guess,” said Jinnie, “you would add a few more main courses, the menu is a little short. The service is good but could be a bit better with a little training and they do not make the most of walk-up diners.”
“I taught you well,” chuckled Alberto. “The food was good, perfectly cooked and presented. But I thought the staff, although very pleasant and polite, just were not polished. They could learn from those young girls in Anderson’s, I could not fault them. And yes, it is not obvious from the outside that the restaurant is open to non-residents. Perhaps a door from the street with a menu beside it would help. I know there is a menu outside, but it is small and does not tell people that to access the restaurant you need to walk through reception.” “The entrance situation is on Belinda’s list,” said Jinnie. “That’s good,” replied Alberto.
Sir Nigel called over a waiter and said, “A double Rémy Martin for me please, and what can I get everyone?” Alberto said, “After a meal I like a digestivo, I rather fancy a limoncello.” Jinnie and Paolo were drinking gin and tonic so they both had a gin, there being plenty of tonic left from their current drinks. Shortly after the waiter brought the drinks, while the discussion was about Anderson’s and how near the second restaurant was to being ready, Rick approached the group and introduced Ken Cooper, the hotel’s general manager.
Rick said, “I didn’t know these important company directors were going to be here tonight, they are here for the opening of the Trattoria Trevi on the pier tomorrow. But it is best you meet them now, before the deal is done. On the left is Alberto Costa, he is the TT SuperBurger Group chairman and one the founders of the Trattoria Trevi business. What he doesn’t know about high class dining isn’t worth knowing. Next to him, you probably recognise Sir Nigel Farage the ex-Prime Minister, he is the group development director. Then we have Dame Jinnie De Luca. Jinnie is the group MD or CEO I can never remember which, she is the most important person in the company, when she says jump we ask how high. Finally, is Paolo, Dame Jinnie’s husband, he is not a director but is something very important at the Italian Embassy.”
“I am delighted to meet you all,” said Ken. “I thought I recognised Sir Nigel, and I have just been reading a review of Anderson’s in the Worthing Herald and recognise Dame Jinnie from the accompanying photo. The restaurant critic absolutely raved about his meal, Dame Jinnie. He rated the restaurant 10 out of 10, something I have never seen before. Apparently he had been to the opening night and rated the restaurant 9 out of 10 but as it was a set meal he wanted to go back and eat his choice of seafood.”
“I am happy he enjoyed it,” replied Jinnie, “a good review is always welcome. Now I hope he is equally happy with the Trattoria Trevi tomorrow, I assume he is on the guest list.” Rick said, “I’m happy to say Ken has agreed to stay on as general manager and help implement the changes to an Ennios and retrain the staff to our little foibles.” Alberto smiled and said, “I hope your chef will be staying on, my meal tonight was excellent, very nearly five-star hotel quality although I recognise that the one thing that we need to sort out urgently is the parking situation.”
***
After breakfast Jinnie drove over to Hastings to meet Belinda and check out progress on the UK’s second Anderson’s. As it was a pleasant day and the tide was out, the twins were going to dig on the beach with Paolo and Izzy. They had been promised lunch in SuperBurger and both had a two-pound coin from Uncle Rick to change into two pence coins to put in the arcade machines on the pier. Jinnie had promised to be back in time for afternoon tea in the hotel lounge. The twins rather fancied a cream tea.
Jinnie looked for Belinda’s car but instead spotted her and Brian climbing out of his Aston Martin, so she parked behind it. She followed them down the street and arrived just after Belinda unlocked the entrance door. Jinnie backed off to the kerb and took a good look at the restaurant’s exterior. To her eye it looked lovely, had kerb appeal and externally looked finished. Belinda stood in the open doorway and said to Jinnie, “Jason tells me that we are very nearly ready to open. The kitchen appliances will be all fitted by Tuesday, the kitchen staff have all been in training in Worthing and Angela has been busy sorting out front of house.”
Jinnie walked into the restaurant and stood taking in the layout. She had seen the design drawings and the visuals and was astounded it looked so similar, all that were missing were the people the renders included. It looked very much like Anderson’s Worthing and Jinnie was delighted, that was just how a chain should look. Every branch should be similar but not identical, and this was just right. Brian sat at a table and pulled out his phone while Belinda and Jinnie had a look around. As always Belinda had a notepad and ink pen and was making notes although the list appeared to be quite short.
The ladies walked into the kitchen and it was immediately obvious there was work still to be done there, with several appliances still in their protective plastic waiting to be fitted. Belinda said, “I think Jason is right, there can’t be more than a couple of days’ work left. I will make certain the cleaners are booked for Wednesday although it looks pretty clean in here anyway. They don’t have to do a deep clean as nothing is dirty, but as it’s a restaurant it needs to be sanitised.”
“Will you be here on Saturday for the opening?” asked Jinnie. “I will,” said Belinda, “but Brian won’t be, there is some sort of regimental service in France on Sunday for his old unit, and as a colonel he is expected to be there. I must drop him at Gatwick for an early flight on Saturday, so he is there for the regimental dinner. So, I will drive down on the day and not stay over.”
“I’ll drive down with Paolo on Saturday,” said Jinnie, “the twins are invited to a classmate’s birthday party on Saturday afternoon, so they had the option of a party or a weekend in Hastings, and they chose the party and Izzy is going to take them. I think they are getting a bit fed up with staying in a hotel and having to dress smartly for dinner.” “Sometimes I feel the same way,” replied Belinda.
“Is Jason moving on to Dover?” asked Jinnie. “Yes,” replied Belinda, “I will need him soon to look after a big fit out in London for an insurance company. It looks to be about four weeks away which fits in quite nicely with the Dover Anderson’s. Then I have Kevin pencilled in to do the next one, is it still Ramsgate?” “I’m not certain,” answered Jinnie, “Andy has seen a site in Broadstairs which he prefers. I’m going to meet him and Angela there on Tuesday and if we all like it better we’ll make an offer. It hardly makes a difference, both are existing restaurants but will need a complete refurb. Although Broadstairs might just be a tad better location wise, it is between Ramsgate and Margate.”
***
Jinnie drove back along the A27 which was a dual carriageway and quite a good road until between Shoreham and Worthing it suddenly became a single carriageway and the traffic started to crawl. She put her mind in automatic driving mode and turned on the radio. They were talking about the war between Germany and Russia. The Russians had launched a spring offensive on the section of front north of Moscow and appeared to have taken back a bulge going twenty-five or so miles into the German lines.
The Germans had also launched a spring offensive, but theirs was in the south, where they were taking ground to the north of the Caspian Sea and had advanced quite a distance into Kazakhstan, taking control of several oil and natural gas fields. The contributor in the studio was saying how the German advance was strategic. It appeared to be aimed at consolidating gas and oil supplies and was probably going to cut the Russians off from a substantial offshore oil field in the Caspian called Kashagan. As she listened Jinnie wondered if her skills would be called on soon to help the British position which seemed to be pro-Russian.
Despite the traffic Jinnie arrived in Worthing in plenty of time to meet the twins for tea. She drove around Steyne Gardens a couple of times before she saw someone pull out from a meter and nipped into the vacated bay. She used her debit card to pay for the maximum four hours, knowing it would take her past six o’clock when parking became free until nine o’clock on Monday morning and picked up then with any left-over time. The twins, Paolo and Izzy were waiting for her in the lounge and Jinnie sat down with them for a while and listened to the twins’ tale of their day until it was time for tea.
Saturday afternoon tea was obviously popular as the restaurant was the fullest Jinnie had seen it, with couples and groups occupying most of the tables. The party were shown to their table and the waitress took their drinks order. As another waitress delivered the first of the multilevel cake trays loaded with finger sandwiches, Ken Cooper arrived beside Jinnie and said, “I saw your party had booked for tea, I hope you enjoy it. We rather pride ourselves on offering a substantial full afternoon tea, with sandwiches, scones, toasted tea cakes, macaroons, cakes and several old-fashioned British desserts like lemon posset, white chocolate mousse and lemon curd tartlets. Chef is particularly proud of his afternoon tea, and everything is made on the premises.”
As more food arrived the twins liked what they were seeing, just about all their favourite sandwiches and cakes were appearing at the same time. Willie asked, “Mummy can we eat everything?” “You can eat as much as you like,” replied Jinnie, “but don’t forget we are going to the opening of the Trattoria Trevi on the pier tonight and I hear Uncle Alberto has organised tomato soup and spaghetti Bolognaise for you two.” Millie groaned, saying, “But how can we choose, there are so many nice things here.” “You will just have to show a little restraint,” said Izzy. “What’s restraint?” asked Willie.
The afternoon tea was excellent and Jinnie wondered if it was just a touch too extensive. But then thought, “The restaurant is practically full, so why tinker with what clearly works. Maybe we could learn from here and introduce a white glove tea to some of the hotels, I need to talk to Rick.” The twins were good and only ate their favourite egg mayonnaise sandwiches, a scone with cream and strawberry jam and Eton mess, however Willie did slip a couple of macaroons in his pocket.
As they went up in the lift to their rooms Jinnie asked, “Well kids, did you enjoy that?” Millie said, “It was lush. But we would like to try it again one day when we can try everything.” Jinnie said, “I have an idea, next time we are on a cruise we can have a tea like that in the Epicurean.” Willie and Millie looked at each other before Willie said, “You mean we have to wait until Christmas.” “Well maybe we could sort something out sooner than that,” replied Jinnie.
***
It was a lovely warm evening, and the family strolled the short distance down along the prom and down the pier. Jinnie realised Rick was right it was quite a long walk down the pier, she would have to see if Alberto and Rick had got anywhere with the electric buggy idea. As they neared the restaurant a horn hooted behind them and an eleven-person electric buggy swept past them and deposited its passengers outside the Trattoria Trevi and the passengers headed inside. Millie asked, “Is that cart giving free rides down the pier?” Jinnie replied, “Well it is really only meant to be for people who can’t walk very far. But maybe you could get a ride if it was pouring with rain.”
Just inside the door Alberto and Sir Nigel were already greeting guests arriving for the opening. The family were shown to their table while Jinnie joined the receiving line. She whispered to Alberto, “I like the airport style buggy, was it expensive?” “It wasn’t exactly cheap,” answered Alberto, “and we have two. When we explained we wanted them to drive people who can’t walk very far the council quickly agreed. But we had to put in two charging points.”
As with previous opening nights many of the diners were invited guests but around half were paying customers. It was a set menu which Jinnie, Paolo, Izzy and group directors knew off by heart but always went down well with diners. But tonight was a bit different. The star tonight was the location and not so much the food. Jinnie had to admit that whoever Belinda had employed to do the lighting design had done a fantastic job. In the fading daylight as she approached the pier, the restaurant was a blaze of light that stood out as inviting.
Once inside the level of lighting was perfect, bright enough to enjoy the restaurant and its magnificent chandelier hanging in the central atrium. But low enough to see out of the surrounding glazing and to see the coloured lights strung out along the prom. The Ferris wheel that so many seaside towns now seemed to have. Even the distant glow of the lights of Brighton were visible. Looking out to sea the occasional ship’s lights moved across the skyline and the warning lights on the tops of the Rampion wind turbines were winking. Jinnie had only previously seen the restaurant in daylight, but she had to admit it looked better by night.
Jinnie said to Belinda, “Your lighting design here is magnificent.” Belinda smiled and said, “We don’t do our own electrical work, it’s a bit specialist. We have two or three companies we use, and we normally get them to tender for our work on big jobs. But I had an idea what I wanted on this one, I’m sure you remember I mentioned a chandelier the first time we were inside the restaurant. It just so happened I had a new company asking if I would let them in on our tenders, so I gave them a go and this is their work, I just loved the design they came up with and they were in the same price range as the other companies.”
“I think I might try them on a few of our standard fit outs,” continued Belinda, “an Aunty JoJo’s, a sandwich bar, and a SuperBurger, I have a good idea what each of them should cost, we have done so many. If they are any good I might push more work their way, it’s always handy to have a decent electrician on call.” “I get the impression that you are thinking of bringing them in-house,” said Jinnie. “I must admit the idea has crossed my mind, they are not a huge company so I could easily afford to buy them, but they seem to have one or more talented electrical designers.”
The meal at the new Trattoria Trevi was exactly what Jinnie expected, a demonstration of the chain’s capabilities to produce top class food and a first-class dining experience. But she felt this restaurant had something that was just a little bit different, the location. She had seen the restaurant reviewers from several of the national papers and hoped they had picked up on the special atmosphere. If they mentioned it in their review it could make for a rush of customers and a big success. Despite having her mind half on her new business, her main job was still as CEO of the TT SuperBurger Group and the success of any of the group’s restaurants was important.
The De Luca party did not leave the restaurant immediately after the meal. Instead, they let most of the customers drift away while Jinnie sought out the new branch manager whom she wanted to ask about bookings. She found her in discussion with Alberto and joined the conversation. Alberto introduced her to Isla, who he explained had been deputy manager at the Trattoria Trevi Aberdeen, but he had heard only good things and had offered her the manager position in Worthing. Isla had a soft Scottish accent and told Jinnie she had been reluctant to leave her native Scotland but had travelled down to see the restaurant and had loved what she had seen, saying, “I realised that there is just something special about this branch when it starts to get dark and the lights are turned on.”
Jinnie said, “I loved the location the first time I saw it, but tonight was the first time I have seen it with the lights on and I can only say I find it magical. I only hope the restaurant reviewers agree.” “I know one did,” replied Alberto, “the man from the Sunday Telegraph sought me out for a few words for his review. He congratulated me on finding such a special location and said this might just be his favourite Trattoria Trevi.”
Jinnie found Paolo, the twins and Izzy watching the night fishermen on the end of the pier. Millie said, “Mummy that man just caught a big fish. He said it was an undulate ray. He dropped it back in the water. I wish I had my camera phone.” The fishermen were all packing up as the pier would be closing soon. “Come on kids,” said Jinnie, “it’s getting late and we need to walk back to the hotel.” Willie asked, “Can we ride down the pier on a buggy?” Jinnie answered, “Well if there is one available, I don’t see why not.”
The buggy dropped them off in front of the Pavilion Theatre and the twins said good night to the driver. As they walked the short distance back to the hotel Millie said, “We like that restaurant, it’s different. The food is the same as Uncle Alberto’s but it is nice eating on a pier.”
***
The following morning, before breakfast, Jinnie searched for a restaurant review in the Sunday Telegraph delivered to their room. While Paolo made coffee and the twins, in the adjoining room, watched cartoons on their TV, Jinnie read the review with a growing smile. It seemed the reviewer was smitten with the new restaurant, saying that as always the food had been perfect, but this was different. At first he could not put a finger on what it was until his wife, whom he was dining with, pointed out how lovely the restaurant was and how nice it was looking back on the lights of Worthing. He talked about the open kitchen, the atrium, the chandelier and the tables on the gallery. Finally, he wrote, ‘You can’t fault a meal at a Trattoria Trevi, everyone I have eaten in, and I have eaten in many, has been of a constant extremely high standard. It may not be the cheapest chain in Britain, but you get quality, service and exceptional food wherever you dine.’
‘But,’ he continued, ‘you get something extra here, a fabulous location, and a unique restaurant. I congratulated Group Chairman, Alberto Costa, on producing what must be the pride of the chain and he shrugged his shoulders and told me that it was group CEO Dame Jinnie De Luca who had found the site and Construction Director Belinda Quarendon who had produced such a beautiful design. I didn’t manage to speak to Dame Jinnie, who must be one of the country’s finest restaurateurs, she had apparently taken her young twins back to their hotel. But I did manage to speak to Mrs Quarendon who told me that the group now had several other businesses in the town and had just bought a hotel that will be turned into one of its five star Ennios chain shortly. They will soon be offering gourmet short breaks, where you can dine in the Trattoria Trevi Worthing, the hotel restaurant, which she described as exceptional, and Dame Jinnie’s own fish restaurant Anderson’s. I visited Anderson’s the evening before I ate in the Trattoria Trevi and it was a wonderful meal, for which there will be a full review next Sunday. All I can say is book a table in the Trattoria Trevi Worthing before the booking list grows to be as long as the original Trattoria Trevi in Potters Bar.’
Jinnie read the review a second time to try to take in all the details, before saying to Paolo, “Read this review, I think I will have it framed and put on my office wall. I must phone Belinda and thank her, we have just got a huge piece of free advertising.” “Is the review that good?” asked Paolo. “I can’t remember having ever got one quite so good,” said Jinnie.
Belinda answered her mobile on the third ring and said, “Good morning Jinnie. Is there a problem, you don’t usually ring this early on a Sunday morning.” “I take it you haven’t read the restaurant review in the Telegraph this morning,” said Jinnie. “Well, no,” replied Belinda, “I didn’t get home until rather late last night and I’m still in bed. I hope the paper will be in the door when I get downstairs, is it bad?” “Quite the opposite,” said Jinnie, “the review in the Telegraph is really good and quotes you extensively. Do you remember talking to the Telegraph’s restaurant critic about the Ennios?”
“Not in particular,” replied Belinda, “I spoke to numerous people, all of whom raved about the restaurant. I tried to tell them that as a group we did lots of other things from fast food to hotels and that we were converting a Worthing town centre hotel into an Ennios.” “Well, this critic seems to have picked up on the gourmet short breaks and reported that,” said Jinnie, “I’m delighted, it’s fabulous free advertising.”
***
The De Lucas were just finishing their buffet breakfast when Jinnie’s mobile rang. Glancing at the screen Jinnie read ‘Caroline – Publicity’ so she answered with, “Good morning Caroline, I don’t often hear from you on a Sunday. Is there a problem?” “I don’t think so,” replied Caroline, “it’s just that I have been fielding loads of calls this morning requesting that we make someone available for interview about the Trattoria Trevi Worthing and the Ennios Worthing. I am familiar with the Trattoria Trevi, I was involved in the invitations for the opening, but I have never heard of the Ennios Worthing and it’s not in the company directory.”
“That’s because it doesn’t exist yet,” said Jinnie. “We are buying a hotel in Worthing, we have an agreement, and the final contracts are due to be signed later this week, then we will refurbish it and change its name to the Ennios Worthing.” “So how do the press know about it?” asked Caroline, “what do I tell the press and do we put someone up for interview?”
“Let me think,” said Jinnie. “How about we put out a holding press release. Draft one that says something like, ‘The TT SuperBurger Group proudly opened their latest Trattoria Trevi restaurant on Worthing Pier last night and were delighted with its reception. This unique restaurant is located such that there are fantastic views along the coastline to enjoy while diners eat their meals. TT SuperBurgers Hotel Division has agreed to purchase the Ardington Hotel in Worthing. Work will start shortly to convert the hotel into the Ennios Worthing. A further announcement will be made when the purchase is complete, but it should be noted that the purchase will not result in any job losses.’”
“You better tell anyone asking for someone to interview,” continued Jinnie, “that no directors are available for interview today, but that I will be available on Monday for interview but by appointment only. And for your information I refuse to be interviewed on LBC by that lefty nutjob who does their morning show, but their breakfast man is OK, as are the people who do Talk Radio and TV.
In Chapter 12, Jinnie does radio
© WorthingGooner 2025
