Jamie Oliver--The Pukka chef

How would any one feel if a native English speaker repeatedly uses Hindi words in his conversation? Amazing isn't it?! James Trevor Oliver, the famous English chef is habituated in using Hindi words like ‘pukka’ very often in his conversations and writings. Popular as The Naked Chef, James Oliver is one of the favourite among food lovers. Apart from being a chef he is also a good writer and a social worker who is frequently seen busy in campaigning for healthy food habits.

Jamie Oliver, the son of the owner of a pub-restaurant was born in May, 1975. He spent his childhood in Clavering, Essex. Probably, it is the influence of his parents which inspired him to be a chef. Right from the childhood he helped his parents in the kitchen and was very efficient in making varied dishes. He was also quite interested in musical activities. He played drum in the band which he formed along with his friend Leigh Haggerwood.

However, above everything he was more interested in cooking. So he studied in the Westminster Catering College and also learned French. After that he began his first job as a chef in the Neal Street Restaurant, where he learned a lot about cooking fresh and simple food. He initiated the” The Naked Chef" programme in the year 1998 and 1999 which brought him worldwide fame and from then onwards his long march towards success paced up. After the glorious success of this programme Jamie Oliver presented some more television serials and a huge collection of books in his name. Among more television programmes and book deals followed. As of 2006, Oliver had six additional television series and eight books to his name. Now in 2007, he has a new TV show called "Jamie at home," and the book by the same name gained much popularity.

Jamie Oliver was married to Juliette Norton. He is an ardent social worker who has established the Fifteen charity restaurant, where he engage himself in training people to work in the hospitality industry. His series “Jamie's School Dinners", is another of his attempt to bring about changes in the junk food culture and familiarising the schools in Britain to provide healthy food in a cheaper rate. Jamie wrote many fabulous cook books of which Something for the Weekend, The Naked Chef, Jamie's Italy, Cook with Jamie are worth mentioning.