Restauranteur, TV Star, Dad …
Restauranteur, TV Star, Dad and soon to be husband Elliott Wright has plenty of strings to his bow. From dating surgically enhanced Chloe Sims back in Season 12 of The Only Way Is Essex, Mark Wright’s cheeky chappy older cousin has come a long way since bursting onto our TV screens in 2014.
As well as starring in regular episodes of TOWIE, TOWIM, Life on Marbs and having two of his very own shows commissioned for ITVBe (Playa in Marbella in 2016 and the soon to be on-screen nupitals to beautiful bride Sadie) Elliot has also carved himself out to be a major figurehead on the Costa Del Sol.
It is all thanks to his stunning restaurant Olivia’s La Cala. Situated a short drive from Marbella in the gorgeous beachside resort of La Cala de Mijas, Olivia’s is undoubtedly one of the most popular restaurants on the coast and as such it has been nominated for Best Restaurant in the Marbella Awards 2017.
It has also firmly put La Cala de Mijas as an area to visit on the map, with beautiful unspoilt beaches and quaint Spanish charm, Olivia’s and the TV attention that surrounds it makes it one of the many places to tick off on holidaymakers visits to Spain.
“This small piece of paradise has been my dream for 15 years,” Elliot recalls. “Beachside dining under the stars with panoramic views. Fine food and fine company.”
Fast forward two years and it is safe to say Elliot’s dream has become a reality.
Marbella Rocks had the pleasure of catching up with Elliott to discuss, among many things, his greatest loves: Olivia’s La Cala, Sadie and his two children Elliott and Olivia.
Q: So what made you decide to set up Olivia La Cala’s?
Elliott: I’ve opened up several restaurants in Alicante and normally the size of Olivia’s but I always said if I could find a location on the Costa Del Sol that was the size of Eduardo’s my other place and on a beach I would have to drop everything… I didn’t expect to be so lucky to find such a place so when it came up I simply had to take it even though it meant putting my successful TV career on hold.
Q: You have emerged as one of the most popular places to visit on the Costa Del Sol, what sets Olivia’s apart from its competitors?
Elliott: I suppose we have a different concept to others. Apart from the fact the entertainment is focused mainly for the dining clients, where as other large venues they are more based for the bar, but mainly it’s the difference in dining experience you can have all under one roof. For instance we have very relaxed comfortable terrace chairs, all with sea views, so you could sit in the sun in the day and chill all afternoon or you can come inside as a group and have a more party atmosphere… similarly you can come in and just have a drink.
Q: You were behind the actual design of your dream restaurant – what influenced your décor choices?
Elliott: When I set out with the rebuild of Olivia’s I wanted it female focused in design so you will find feminine touches, décor and colour and all natural colours you would find on the beach. I decided to do this as when you have a lot of female clients especially in a party environment the atmosphere is great and that’s what I love most about Olivia’s… women feeling comfortable and enjoying the atmosphere… you can’t buy that.
Q: Is your daughter proud that you named the restaurant after her?
Elliott: My daughter is only 8 but she loves the restaurant… especially winding my son up that she has one and he doesn’t!
Q: You have been running for 2 years in La Cala – are there plans to extend the brand to new locations?
Elliott: I’m always on the lookout for other business opportunities but right now I’m focusing on Olivia’s and its brand… there are so many good bars and restaurants in La Cala and what’s important now is that we all work together to show the coast what I believe…La Cala de Mijas is very much up and coming.
Q: You are synonymous with having the best talent on the coast perform at Olivia’s – is that a big draw to customers to have entertainment 7 nights a week in Summer?
Elliott: I have always set out have great entertainment and I’m always looking to bring in different talent. Olivia’s is about being different and being fresh so especially this year we have been looking at bringing over acts that we believe may be a star in the future. So we are looking into who’s the star of this years X Factor for example and we’ll bring them over. At the same time we have the odd classic acts too. We will definitely continue with that pattern next year.
Q: What are your plans for Winter and next year?
We’ve always got something going on at Olivia’s throughout the Winter but from a TV perspective next year I will definitely feature more on the box. I would love to do the prostate cancer awareness show again for ITV… we did The Full Monty this year and it was the biggest grossing factual show ever. We crashed the UK Prostrate website with men asking questions and we definitely feel we saved lives so that is a given again. And there is more potential things on ITV1 and also ITVBe are talking to me about more about another show out here on the coast, plus other channels, so for sure I will be on the TV screens next year to some degree.
Q: What is the Best and Worst thing about running your own restaurant?
Elliott: When it’s going smooth and the champagne is flowing and when it’s not – it has to be when the electric keeps cutting out!
Q: How did you know Sadie was ‘the one’ when you met her?
Elliott: I knew Sadie was the one when she met my kids.
Q: Can you tell us more about your upcoming wedding?
Elliott: The wedding build up will be on ITVBe in October…. I can’t say more than that unfortunately as I can’t contractually. Sorry guys!
Catch Elliott and Sadie’s two part TV show on ITVBe screens soon. Marbella Rocks wishes the beautiful couple all the best!
