At first glance, Jamie and Jimmy's on the pier may look like any other cafe – but it serves a very special purpose.

TV chef Jamie Oliver and his old friend and TV farmer Jimmy Doherty are teaming up to unite British food lovers, taking over the cafe that has changed very little since the pair spent time there in the 1980's as childhood friends.

Jamie and Jimmy's Food Fight Club is due to air on Channel 4 later this year and promises to be a lot of fun as the two Essex boys bring together a fusion of mischievous banter and food knowledge in equal measures. They’ll bring together friends, locals and special guests for a food fight where anything goes.

Jamie has good reason to feel at home here given that he did reveal he was conceived on the pier - not sure if that's a little bit too much information but he clearly enjoys coming back to his roots, having visited Southend last year as part of the Jamie's Great Britain series.

Jamie Oliver has become something of a British institution since he burst Naked (not really, anybody else a tad disappointed when they first tuned into that show?) onto our TV screens in 1997. Since then his campaign for healthy eating in schools which saw him badgering schools, parents and politicians and generally making a nuisance of himself has led to massive improvements in old school dinners!

In 2002 his passion for food coupled with a desire to give young people a better future saw him open Fifteen in London, a restaurant that donates all its profits to a pioneering training programme for young unemployed people in need of a second chance.

Ten years down the line, hundreds of apprentices have benefited from training at Fifteen, two further restaurants have been opened and Jamie awarded the MBE in recognition of his role in establishing Fifteen and his work with young people.

Jimmy Doherty is best known for offering a unique insight into the trials and tribulations of setting up a new farming venture. Jimmy’s Farm and two subsequent update programmes on Channel 4 allowed us to share the drama and challenges faced during the setting up of his Essex Pig Company.

Filming on the show started last week and the Fresh One production team are due to return on October 4th and 16th.

Southend Council have agreed to close off a section of the pier during certain times but Southend residents may have the chance to be part of this exciting new series as part of the studio audience, go to http://www.starnow.co.uk for details, application closing date 1st October.

Jamie and Jimmy's Food Fight promises to be a lot of fun, and once again allows viewers nationwide to see what a fantastic location Southend can be for family fun and TV shows!