Jamie Oliver

Chef, Cookbook Author, Television Personality

No, Jamie Oliver does not cook without clothes on. It's his food that is "naked" - ingredients in their simplest, rawest, barest state. His stripped-down way of cooking was born of necessity when he found himself with limited kitchen space and basic equipment when he first moved to London to pursue his culinary destiny. Recognizing that people who enjoy great restaurant food often attempt to duplicate recipes at home, and considering the limitations a home kitchen might have, Jamie experimented, simplified, adapted, and reinvented a repertoire of simple, exciting dishes.

Early Years

Starting out as an 8-year old peeling potatoes at his parent's pub and restaurant in a small English village, Jamie was fortunate to be surrounded by patient and encouraging chefs who taught him the fundamentals. Following a short stint at the Starr in Essex at the age of 15, he was inspired to pursue cooking as a career, and enrolled in London's Westminster Catering College. While initially believing the more than better in terms of filling the plate, it was at the Chateau Tilquest in France where he learned that quality, passion, and individual flair were the true cornerstones of culinary excellence.

Returning to London, Jamie learned about pasta (which remains one of his passions) and bread at one of London's best, Antonio Carluccio's Neal Street Restaurant. To further his knowledge and experience, he talked his way into a position at the acclaimed River Cafe. It was when he took part in a television documentary about the restaurant that Jamie was discovered by one of the top production companies in London, and soon after production on the first "Naked Chef" series for the BBC got underway.

Recognition

The series was a hit, and not surprisingly the companion cookbook, The Naked Chef (Hyperion, 2000) spent several weeks at #1 on international best seller lists. His newest book, The Naked Chef Takes Off (Hyperion, 2001) is scheduled for release on September 1, and is expected to include more beautiful photographs, personal commentary, and Jamie's secrets for fresh, simple and delicious food. His newest series, Pukka Tukka, which features Jamie performing his magic in a new kitchen set, and on location throughout London, began airing on the Food network the 2nd week of August.

At the ripe old age of 25, Jamie Oliver is one of the world's hottest young chefs, a Food Network sensation, and an inspiration for both professionals and home chefs who want to get the most excitement and flavor out of their food. The "Naked Chef" has definitely taken off.