7 Reasons Why Jamie Oliver Is Like No Other Food Celebrity In The World
Whether he’s cooking up a storm in his well-stocked studio kitchen or going around Europe with his guests in search of prized ingredients, you just can’t help but gush and be awestruck by Jamie Oliver’s natural charm, wit, and endless zeal for everything delicious and British. You can currently catch him on Jamie’s Great Britain on Metro Channel where he travels around his home country in search of great British grub. But what makes Jamie Oliver such a standout from other food celebrities who may cook just as well, or even, better than him? Here are seven reasons to get you started:
1. He didn’t have any formal culinary education
Unlike Anthony Bourdain and Bobby Flay, Jamie didn’t undergo any formal training. His first foray into food came at a very young age, working for his father who ran a local pub in Essex. He went to a vocational college with qualifications in home economics. His first job though wasn’t in the hot kitchen, but rather, as a pastry chef.
2. He cares about the future of food through its past
Jamie Oliver is a staunch supporter and endorser of the Slow Food Movement, a worldwide organization motivated to preserve indigenous food traditions and practices, protect endangered ingredients, and conserve regional food sources. “My belief is that, it’s every child’s human right to be fed properly and to be educated about food, where it comes from and how it affects their body. However, this can only happen if we rectify the mess that the global food system has found itself in today,” he advocates in support of the Slow Food Movement. He is also a proponent of organic agriculture and sustainability in food production.
3. His cooking style is infectious plus his recipes are fun and so easy to do
While most well-known chefs carry within them the fundamentals of French cooking, which are somewhat intimidating and hard to replicate, Jamie stands out with his down-to-earth, friendly, and easy-to-follow approach in the kitchen. Let’s be honest, whenever you catch him in one of his cooking segments, by the end of the show, you’ve already told yourself, “I can do that!” Plus, he doesn’t limit himself to British food or European ingredients; he likes to dabble in Indian, African and Asian cooking, too!
4. Even the simplest of ingredients are the best for him
Whether it’s a simple piece of produce such as peas, carrots, and brussel sprouts or a store-bought item such as a can of beans, soy sauce, or dry pasta, Jamie strives to cook them to their fullest flavor potential—making the most sincere and delicious dish he’s ever worked on. Forget about luxury ingredients like foie gras or caviar. When Jamie makes a Chicken Pot Pie out of everyday essentials, it may very well be the most delicious thing in the world.
5. He cares about the welfare of children and how they eat in their schools
Appalled at the meal options provided in public elementary schools in Britain, Jamie took it upon himself to do a campaign (covered in his TV series Jamie’s School Dinners) to raise awareness and improve the standard of British school meals. This included improving the nutritional values of school dinners as well as adding better meal options on the menu. As a result, the British government pledged to increase its budget on school dinners. With the success of his campaign Jamie was named “Most Inspiring Political Figure” of 2005.
6. He gave disadvantaged youth a second chance through his Fifteen Restaurant/ Foundation
As documented in his 2002 television series, Jamie’s Kitchen, Jamie trained 15 disadvantaged young people to give them a chance to make something of themselves. Those who successfully completed the training were given offers to work at his restaurant, Fifteen. Eventually some of the trainees also ended up working in London’s best restaurants.
7. He’s an MBE
Since he appeared in his very first TV show The Naked Chef in 1999, Jamie has undoubtedly become one of the most influential personalities in Great Britain. Fueled by his longstanding passion and advocacy for organic food as well as his promotion of British cuisine and its produce, Jamie was awarded the MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in 2003. Funnily, instead of wearing the customary tie for this prestigious event, the cheeky chef from Essex opted to wear a brown suit instead.
Catch episodes of Jamie’s Great Britain airing Saturday, January 26 at 1 pm, and Sunday, January 27 at 10 am on Metro Channel, channel 52 on SkyCable and channel 174 on HD
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