British-born Jamie Oliver's signature is simple, fresh, delicious food that he presents with an effusive enthusiasm. To date he has written nine cookbooks:
- The Naked Chef (1999)
- Return of the Naked Chef (2000)
- Happy Days With the Naked Chef (2001)
- Jamie's Kitchen (2002)
- Jamie's Dinners (2004)
- Jamie's Italy (2005)
- Jamie's Little Book of Big Treats (exclusive to Comic Relief)
- Cook With Jamie (2006)
- Jamie At Home (2007)
He's starred in ten television series:
- The Naked Chef (1998-1999)
- Return of the Naked Chef (2000)
- Happy Days With the Naked Chef (2001)
- Jamie's Kitchen (2002)
- Oliver's Twist (2002)
- Jamie's School Dinners (2005)
- Jamie's Great Italian Escape (2005)
- Jamie's Return to School Dinners (2006)
- Jamie's Chef (2007)
- Jamie At Home (2008)
Oliver practically grew up in the kitchen. His parents owned a pub called The Cricketers in Cambridge and from a young age he helped in the pub's kitchen where he learned all the basics of working in the kitchen. As a teenager he attended Westminster Catering College, then studied in France and got his feet wet working for some of the best restaurants in London when he returned.
He was discovered while working at the famous Italian restaurant River Cafe in London by the same televsion producer who had discovered The Two Fat Ladies. Oliver was 23 when he began filming his first television series The Naked Chef. The provocatively titled series did not feature Oliver cooking in the nude, but instead referred to his cooking style - stripped-down, basic and no fuss. Oliver's natural energy, playfulness and passion for food became his signature presenting style, and brought a youthful energy and hipness to television cooking shows. The fact that Oliver was also the drummer for an independent rock band called Scarlet Division certainly didn't hurt either.
Oliver was often shown jumping on his scooter to visit the local butcher or to pick up herbs or ingredients for whatever he was cooking. He would welcome late night visits from club-going friends and cook for them, as well take young nieces and nephews for a picnic.
As his career and fame progressed, Oliver became interested in social change. His 2002 television series and cookbook, Jamie's Kitchen was based around the opening of Oliver's new restaurant Fifteen which was established in part to assist disadvantaged young people in starting careers in the restaurant industry. Since 2001, three other Fifteens have been opened in Amsterdan, Melbourne and Cornwall. In 2004, Jamie's School Dinners aired and featured Oliver taking over the cafeteria in a school in Greenwich as he successfully campaigned to improve the food served in England's schools.
Oliver's passion for flavour, his no fuss style of cooking and his infectious enthusiasm has made him one of the most popular celebrity chefs in the world. At the same time, he's used his fame to create change as he does for disadvantaged youths, the overall health of Britons (starting in the school cafeterias) and his promotion of organic produce.
Here's what Oliver has to say about his Fantastic Roast Chicken: "This roast chicken is really tasty. The principle is very similar to the perfect roast chicken recipe in my first book; getting fantastic flavours right into the bird."
Find the recipe for Fantastic Roast Chicken here.
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