Television chef Lorraine Pascale is to replace Jamie Oliver as the face of Sainsbury’s in a deal worth £1 million a year.
The former catwalk model, who was discovered by Naomi Campbell’s agent at 16 and worked alongside stars such as Kate Moss during a 17-year career, has been approached by the supermarket chain about replacing Mr Oliver, 35, who was dropped last week.
Miss Pascale, 39 – a classically trained chef and specialist cakemaker – is said to have impressed Sainsbury’s with her combination of model looks and cooking experience.
Last night, a Sainsbury’s spokesman refused to comment but sources say the supermarket giant is keen to finalise a deal with Miss Pascale, who runs her own cake-making business Ella’s Cakehouse, which supplies London department store Selfridges.