synopsis

By 2001, it was time to move on and leave The Naked Chef behind. Jamie had always wanted to pass on his passion for food and help disadvantaged youngsters, so he decided to mentor fifteen unemployed or homeless people to train as chefs with the idea that they would then be trained, by himself and a team of other professional chefs, as part of a new restaurant called Fifteen London. All of this was captured in his documentary for Channel 4.

It turned out to be a very busy year for Jamie. He was writing a new book, had his business trips to juggle, a host of other commitments and, most importantly of all, was about to become a dad. Jamie took a huge risk, and regardless of whether the apprentices could handle it, he wasn’t sure if he could!
But the risk was worth it. The restaurant and the apprentice program are still up and running, and there are more Fifteens in Amsterdam and Cornwall. Jamie is proud of them all and is glad that it all worked out because he thought it was going to fall flat and break the bank at any minute.

The accompanying book is packed with clear, no-nonsense advice and inspiration, as well more than 100 recipes from the Fifteen training program and the restaurant.

It is not a heavy ‘cook like a professional’ book, weighed down with facts, figures and techniques. It guides you through different cooking methods – from poaching and boiling, to char-grilling and pot-roasting. Hopefully, it will help you to be the boss in your own kitchen. Check out the hints and tips on how to be inspired when shopping – spotting what’s good, what’s in season and what’s good value.

• 7 x 60 minute episodes
• first aired: UK, Channel 4, Nov 2002

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