Jamie's kitchen up for award

They were among society's rejects, and the nation watched them burn, drop and destroy dishes as they struggled to learn to cook - but now they are making some of the best food in London and are in line for the capital's top restaurant awards.

Jamie Oliver's restaurant Fifteen in Hoxton - set up to give jobless teenagers the chance to become top chefs - has been shortlisted for the title of New restaurant of the year in the Tio Pepe Carlton London Restaurant Awards.

As viewers of the Jamie's Kitchen documentary series witnessed, the restaurant's road to success has been strewn with broken crockery, spoiled food and large helpings of swearing.

The 15 trainees were chosen from 1,500 applicants, many of them from impoverished backgrounds.

Oliver despaired when some let him down, turning up late or answering back. He faced another hurdle after 11 of the 15 failed their exams - five dropped out or were asked to leave for absenteeism.

Then the restaurant looked like it might not open at all when it was denied planning permission for an essential flue. Oliver ploughed on and the restaurant opened on 5 November to rave reviews. It is now booked up until March.

Evening Standard restaurant critic Fay Maschler, who is one of the judges, said: "I was tremendously impressed when I went to Fifteen. I was surprised how good it was. It was one of the best meals I've had in a long time. Let's hope he can keep up the tempo - that's always the problem.

"I think it will inspire other young people to go into the business. Jamie's success has always been an inspiration for other young people to think about catering as a career. He has shown it's creative and very rewarding."

Fifteen has some hot competition from the other restaurants in the category - Locanda Locatelli, The Painted Heron, Racine and Thyme. But Oliver is also shortlisted for an Academy award of excellence, which this year is for excellence in encouraging new talent.

Gordon Ramsay is also up for an Academy award, as well as the title of Outstanding London chef for his work at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea. The restaurant, which has three Michelin stars, is also shortlisted for French restaurant of the year.

It has already been named Restaurant of the year in the Square Meal Guide 2003 and was the only restaurant in the country to be awarded 10 out of 10 for its culinary excellence in The Good Food Guide's latest edition. For the first time in its seven-year history, the London Restaurant Awards will include a category for Iberian restaurants, reflecting the rise of Spanish, Portuguese and South American cuisine in the capital.

The public will be able to vote on 60 good-value restaurants nominated for the Evening Standard/London Tonight Award. Restaurants chosen for this award offer two people a meal with wine for £60 or less.