Jamie Oliver, Chef and Culinary Tycoon

Known for his spunky personality, vibrant energy and handsome good looks, Jamie Oliver is a force in the world of cooking. The culinary tycoon has built his very own food empire from the ground up, boasting nine successful books, 10 television shows, DVDs, and the Flavour Shaker, his very own invention designed to crush and release flavour from whole spices and herbs.

A true humanitarian, Oliver has also done his part to give back to his community, heading campaigns for healthier eating in schools, and programs to give young chefs a head start. With all of this on his plate, and a few surprises up his sleeve, Jamie Oliver is on fire!

Perhaps one of the most endearing things about this beloved Brit is his refreshing outlook on cooking, which emphasizes the importance of having fun while preparing a meal. “Once you try a few dishes, you will see how easy it is – and how much you can enjoy yourself. You don’t need years of cooking experience to make a good meal, you just need a bit of interest and some practice,” he says. “Start off with the basics, you know – how to make a lovely roast dinner or a beautiful steak, and then you’re away!”

It is this outlook that Oliver calls the secret to his success. “I think it’s because I try to make things accessible for people, so even if you never go into the kitchen, you can read a recipe from my book and think, yeah, I can do that,” he says. “I like to take food back to basics – use natural flavours and seasoning so you don’t actually have to add too much to make it taste delicious.” Oliver’s focus on the ease and fun of cookery has encouraged the cooking-phobic to try their hand at it, reminding them that it is not an inborn talent, but rather a skill acquired through practice.

Not surprisingly, Oliver’s love of food began at a very early age. Growing up in Essex, England, the aspiring chef learned the ropes while helping out at his parents’ restaurant. His big break came in 1997, when he was featured in a television documentary about the local River Café. As Oliver humbly puts it: “I was just some cocky kid in the background making pasta.” Soon after the documentary was aired, Oliver was offered his own television show and the British cooking sensation captured the hearts of fans everywhere with the highly successful Naked Chef, a television show that strips food down to its bare essentials.

Oliver’s charming personality and laid-back style quickly gained attention, inspiring audiences to slip on their oven mitts. Soon, the instantly popular series had a book to accompany it, and with the introduction of two new cooking shows came two tie-in books, Return of the Naked Chef and Happy Days with the Naked Chef. He also invented the Flavour Shaker, which crushes herbs and spices swiftly for tasty marinades and dressings. Oliver’s cooking style has a distinct Mediterranean influence which might be traced back to his Italian mentor, Gennaro Contaldo. Oliver often makes reference to Contaldo, owner of the Passione restaurant in London, praising him for his valuable guidance. “He taught me how to make the freshest pasta, and most delicious breads. The lovely Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers have also been a great inspiration to me. I worked at their River Café restaurant in London when I was just starting out and they taught me how to appreciate and respect the food I cook with,” he says. Led by their combined wisdom, Oliver too has become a mentor for many young aspiring chefs, taking them under his wing and making their transition to a chef a little easier.

Now an international phenomenon, Oliver wanted to find a way to give back to the catering industry. He founded Fifteen Foundation, a venture that consists of various training restaurants for young people who are not studying or working full-time. “There are loads of kids around that have a real passion and interest in food but lack the support to study and learn. I am in a position to help these kids, and Fifteen Foundation provides them with the chance to change where they are going and to encourage their passion for cooking,” he says. Cameras followed Oliver’s every move while he set up a training scheme, the actual restaurant, and the charity into which all of the profits would be channelled. The series, Jamie’s Kitchen, and its accompanying book, were instant classics. Fifteen is now one of London’s most popular and successful restaurants, and has three more locations in different countries.

But Oliver’s contribution to the community does not end there. Motivated by the poor state of school dinners in U.K. schools, Oliver went back to school to launch a national campaign entitled Feed Me Better, which encourages healthy eating and cooking in schools. “Being a father gave me a whole new perspective on the eating habits of kids. When I started to look into it, I was amazed when I realized the normal diet for kids these days is convenience and snack foods,” he says. Oliver’s campaign issued an online petition for better school meals, and produced over 270,000 signatures, prompting the government to pledge an extra £280 million to improve the standard of school meals. The entire process resulted in two more hit series, Jamie’s School Dinners, and Jamie’s Return To School Dinners.

Constantly surrounded by great food, it must be difficult for Oliver to have a favourite dish, but he can think of one in particular. “I love a traditional roast dinner with lovely roast potatoes and lots of seasonal vegetables – it’s a great way to get all the family around the table and eating together,” he says.

This focus on family togetherness is what makes Oliver so easy to relate to. He emanates an unmatched approachability and genuine modesty that tell us that underneath all of the fame, Oliver is just a regular family man. When asked about his greatest achievement to date, Oliver sets aside his impressive cache of awards, including the prestigious MBE, saying: “Of everything, it would have to be my wedding day, and the days my lovely girls Poppy and Daisy were born.” www.jamieoliver.com