Jamie Oliver

Jamie started cooking at his parents' pub, The Cricketers in Clavering, Essex, at the age of eight. After being "discovered" by a TV company while working at The River Cafe, his television series and books have inspired millions of people across the world to cook better food using fresh ingredients. In 2002, he founded Fifteen restaurant in London, and the associated charity, now called the Jamie Oliver Foundation, which trains disadvantaged young people to become chefs as well as engaging in Ministry of Food projects. Jamie has recently launched a successful collection of high-street restaurants in the UK called Jamie's Italian - there are currently 14 of these across Britain. He writes for publications in the UK and around the world, including his own Jamie Magazine, and he lives in London and Essex with his wife and children.