Jamie Oliver
Jamie Oliver burst onto our screens as the Naked Chef in 1999 and fast became everyone's favourite cheeky chef.
Zipping around London markets on his shiny Vespa, Jamie had a passion and youth that embraced a new crowd and his 'lovely jubbly' charm sparked a cooking revolution, encouraging many novice cooks, (especially men), to get into the kitchen and get stuck in.
A natural talent
From a young age, Jamie helped out in his parents' pub, The Cricketers, in Essex - and his passion for good food and cooking was born. At 16 he attended Westminster Catering College to learn his trade and was soon working for a top Italian chef, at a well-known restaurant in London's Neal Street. This early experience led him to the River Café where he stayed for three and a half years. A TV crew filming a documentary there captured Jamie's likeability and charisma and when the show aired a few months later, offers to get Jamie in front of the camera poured in.
It's little wonder every programme, cookbook and cause he has been involved in have become a massive hit. His approachability and lack of pretension has struck a chord with budding cooks globally - you won't see any candelabras at his dinner parties, just good mates, a few beers and lots of grub.
Fame and changing Britain
Books and further TV series followed but a shining point in his career has been getting the UK government to look closely at what we are feeding children at school. His documentary about the reality of school dinners shocked many and his dedication to the cause has resulted in changes for the better, but it's an ongoing plight that Jamie wants more parents involved in.
A devoted husband and dad, Jamie is married to childhood sweetheart Jools and has two daughters, Poppy and Daisy.
Buy online
Take a look at Jamie's cooking range, from pans to spice rubs
buy from jamieoliver.com
/kitchenkit
Restaurants
Fifteen
Jamie founded the Fifteen group of restaurants which train disadvantaged young people to work in the catering industry.
Find out more.
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