About this episode
The episode explores Jamie Oliver's career, his impact on food culture, and his recent business endeavors.
Nearly 30 years ago, Jamie Oliver hit British TV screens with The Naked Chef, beginning a career arc that has seen him become a bestselling author and social campaigner. He started helping out in his parents' pub aged just eight, and struggled at school, but after making the move into cookery he flourished, first in top kitchens and then behind the camera. Cultural ubiquity and campaigning documentaries followed, though his business fortunes took a significant hit after his Jamie's Italian chain collapsed in 2019. Seven years later, he's betting that he's learnt from his mistakes, as he relaunchs the chain. At the same time his campaigning over school food standards has started to bear fruit again. Stephen Smith speaks to those who know Jamie Oliver best. Contributors Genarro Contaldo - chef and mentor Elişa Roche - chef and former participant in 'Jamie's Kitchen' documentary Giles Coren - food critic and friend Ed Loftus - Global Restaurant Group Director for the Jamie Oliver Group Sheila Dillon - presenter of Radio 4's The Food Programme Archive: ITV This Morning interview with Jamie Oliver An Italian Christmas: Recipes from the River Cafe (BBC) The Naked Chef (BBC and Optomen…
People in this episode
Host: Stephen Smith
Guests: Genarro Contaldo, Elisha Roche, Giles Coren, Ed Loftus, Sheila Dillon
Topics covered
- Jamie Oliver
- cooking
- food standards
- social campaigning
- television history
- restaurant business
Keywords
- Jamie Oliver
- cooking
- food standards
- television
- restaurant business
- social campaigner
- The Naked Chef
- Jamie's Kitchen
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Jamie Oliver Group, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Optomen Television, Talkback Productions, Fresh One Productions
Books & works: The Naked Chef, Jamie's Kitchen, An Italian Christmas: Recipes from the River Cafe
More episodes of Profile
- Harry Kane · June 13, 2026 · 15 min
- Maggie O'Farrell · June 6, 2026 · 15 min
- Itamar Ben-Gvir · May 30, 2026 · 15 min
- Rhun ap Iorwerth · May 23, 2026 · 15 min
- Christopher Harborne · May 16, 2026 · 14 min
- Emily Thornberry · May 2, 2026 · 15 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Profile podcast page.