Jamie Oliver (born May 27, 1975), also known as the Naked Chef, is a British celebrity chef.
Biography
He grew up in a small Essex village called Clavering. He formed the band Scarlet Division with Leigh Haggerwood in 1989. His first TV break came in 1996 when he was “discovered” by television producer - Pat Llewellyn - while working at the River Cafe in London. She saw him on a documentary called “Christmas at the River Cafe” - and recognised his star potential immediately.
Two highly successful series of “The Naked Chef” were filmed in 1998 and 1999. And On June 24, 2000 he married Juliette Norton, also known as Jools. The couple currently have two daughters - Poppy Honey and Daisy Boo.
In June 2003 he was appointed an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. He set up the Fifteen charity restaurant where he trains 15 disadvantaged young people to work in the hospitality industry. He hopes to set up similar restaurants elsewhere in the UK as well as Sydney and New York City.
He recently announced plans to relocate to a country house outside New York City. He told Night and Day magazine: “It’s my wife’s idea. She’s talked about it for three years. I haven’t a clue why.”
He has also written columns for The Times.
Television shows
The first series that featured Jamie Oliver was “The Naked Chef” on BBC Television. The title was a reference to the simplicity of Oliver’s recipes, and nothing to do with nudity. The success of the programme led to “Return of the Naked Chef” and “Happy Days with the Naked Chef". His work on the Fifteen restaurant was shown as “Jamie’s Kitchen” and “Return to Jamie’s Kitchen” on Channel Four. His latest show is “Oliver’s Twist". His programmes are shown in over 40 countries, including the USA’s Food Network, where he is the second most popular presenter.
Books
He has written several successful cookbooks. These include:
Jamie’s Kitchen
The Naked Chef Takes Off
Happy Days with the Naked Chef
The Naked Chef
Music
In 1989, Oliver and Leigh Haggerwood, school friends, formed the Indie/rock-style Scarlet Division. Scarlet Division has made numerous appearances on “The Naked Chef” and “Oliver’s Twist".