27/06/2025
Jamie Oliver: From Naked Chef to School Food Crusader
Jamie Oliver started his journey as a young, cheeky chef on the show The Naked Chef in the late 1990s. With his casual, no-fuss style and passion for fresh ingredients, he quickly became a household name. But Jamie wasn't just interested in cooking for TV — he wanted to change the way people eat, especially children.
In the early 2000s, Jamie took on a mission that many wouldn’t dare: to fix the school lunch system in the UK. He saw that many British children were being fed highly processed, unhealthy food every day. With his campaign Feed Me Better, Jamie pushed for fresh, nutritious meals in schools — even though it meant going up against tight budgets, stubborn policies, and critics. His work led to real change: new food standards, better funding, and global awareness about childhood obesity and poor nutrition.
Until now, Jamie continues to fight for better food education, both in schools and at home. He's written dozens of books, built food education programs worldwide, and helped millions of families cook healthier meals on a budget.
Of course, when you put yourself out there, you become an easy target — especially for comedians. One popular joke that went viral was about Jamie making fried rice "wrong." Some poked fun at him for not using a wok or for his choice of ingredients. But here’s the truth: professional chefs all around the world — including many Asian chefs — often adapt techniques. For example, some Asian chefs make a roux using cooking oil or even cheap margarine instead of butter because it's practical and cost-effective. Cooking is a living art — not a fixed rulebook.
So while Jamie gets mocked from time to time, his impact speaks louder. He’s not just cooking; he’s changing lives, one plate at a time.
Quick Points:
Started with The Naked Chef in 1999.
Launched Feed Me Better campaign to improve school food.
Influenced UK government to invest in better school meals.
Runs Jamie’s Food Revolution to promote food education globally.
Faced criticism (e.g., over fried rice video), but many chefs cook with similar improvisations.
Advocates for accessible, healthy cooking for all.