Jamie Oliver is a renowned English chef, celebrated for his approachable cooking style. His influence extends beyond the kitchen, with Oliver making significant contributions to the culinary world through television appearances, cookbooks, and restaurant ventures. He is recognized for promoting simple yet flavourful cuisine, making cooking accessible to a wide audience.
May 1975: Birth of Jamie Oliver
Jamie Trevor Oliver was born in May 1975.
1999: Cookbook Release and Downing Street Appearance
Jamie Oliver's cookbook became a bestseller in the UK, and he was invited to cook for Prime Minister Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street in 1999.
1999: The Naked Chef Premiere
Jamie Oliver's cooking show, "The Naked Chef," premiered in 1999.
June 2000: Jamie Oliver Becomes the Face of Sainsbury's
In June 2000, Jamie Oliver landed a major endorsement deal with Sainsbury's, a UK supermarket chain. He became the public face of the brand, appearing in their television and radio advertisements, as well as in-store promotional materials. This deal reportedly earned him an estimated £1.2 million annually.
July 2000: Marriage to Jools
In July 2000, Jamie Oliver married Juliette Norton, known as 'Jools'.
May 2001: The Naked Chef Wins BAFTA
On 13 May 2001, Jamie Oliver's series The Naked Chef won the BAFTA award for Best Feature at the British Academy Television Awards held in London.
2001: Happy Days Live Tour
In 2001, Jamie Oliver embarked on his first live tour, Happy Days Live, performing to sold-out venues in the UK and Australasia. The show included cooking, music, and audience interactions.
March 2002: Birth of Poppy Honey Rosie
On 18 March 2002, Jamie Oliver and Jools welcomed their first child, Poppy Honey Rosie.
April 2003: Birth of Daisy Boo Pamela
On 10 April 2003, Jamie Oliver and Jools welcomed their second child, Daisy Boo Pamela.
June 2003: MBE Award Ceremony
In June 2003, Jamie Oliver attended the ceremony to receive his MBE, choosing to forgo a tie with his suit.
June 2003: Awarded MBE
In June 2003, Jamie Oliver was awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for his contributions to the hospitality industry.
June 2003: Awarded MBE
Jamie Oliver was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in June 2003 for his contributions to the hospitality industry.
December 2004: Fifteen Amsterdam Opening
Following the success of his original Fifteen charity restaurant in London, Jamie Oliver expanded the concept internationally. In December 2004, Fifteen Amsterdam opened its doors, providing training and opportunities for disadvantaged youth in the hospitality industry.
2004: Sainsbury's Produces 65 Advertisements with Jamie Oliver
By 2004, Sainsbury's had produced 65 advertisements featuring Jamie Oliver. However, this partnership was not without controversy. Oliver's reported admission of not using supermarkets himself, despite the regular "product placement" in his early TV series, raised eyebrows.
May 2005: Most Influential in UK Hospitality
In May 2005, Jamie Oliver was named the most influential person in the UK hospitality industry by topping the inaugural Caterersearch.com 100 list.
2005: Most Inspiring Political Figure
Jamie Oliver was voted the "Most Inspiring Political Figure of 2005" in a Channel 4 News viewer poll, reflecting the impact of his "Feed Me Better" campaign.
2005: Feed Me Better Campaign Launch
Jamie Oliver launched his campaign "Feed Me Better" in 2005 to promote healthier eating habits among schoolchildren.
2005: Criticism from Animal Rights Groups
In 2005, Jamie Oliver faced criticism from animal rights groups, notably PETA, for slaughtering a lamb on his TV show without prior stunning. They argued it exposed the public to the concerning methods used in slaughterhouses.
May 2006: Fifteen Cornwall Opening
In May 2006, Jamie Oliver, in partnership with a fellow chef, opened Fifteen Cornwall in Newquay. This addition to the Fifteen family continued the mission of empowering disadvantaged young people through culinary training.
September 2006: Fifteen Melbourne Opening
Jamie Oliver's Fifteen initiative reached Australia in September 2006 with the opening of Fifteen Melbourne. This venture was a collaboration with his friend and fellow chef, Tobie Puttock. Both Fifteen Melbourne and Fifteen Cornwall have since closed.
2006: Second in UK Hospitality Influence
In 2006, Jamie Oliver was ranked second on the Caterersearch.com 100 list, following Gordon Ramsay, but remained a significant influence in the UK hospitality industry.
2006: Australian Tour
In 2006, Jamie Oliver went on an Australian tour, performing in Sydney and Melbourne with a format similar to his Happy Days Live show. The tour featured special guests and was documented in Jamie Oliver: Australian Diary.
June 2008: Jamie's Italian Launch
Jamie Oliver launched his first high street restaurant, Jamie's Italian, in Oxford in June 2008.
2008: Iron Chef America Challenger
In 2008, Jamie Oliver appeared as a challenger on Iron Chef America, competing against Iron Chef Mario Batali with cobia as the theme ingredient.
2008: Launch of Ministry of Food Campaign and Center
In 2008, Jamie Oliver launched his impactful Ministry of Food campaign alongside a Channel 4 series of the same name. The first Ministry of Food Centre, aimed at teaching people how to cook healthy meals from scratch, opened in Rotherham. Additional centers and trucks were later established in various locations in the UK and Australia.
2008: Judge on Oprah's Big Give
In 2008, Jamie Oliver served as one of the judges on Oprah's Big Give, a show hosted by Oprah Winfrey in the United States.
2008: Jamie's Italian Opens in Oxford
The first Jamie's Italian restaurant, part of Jamie Oliver's restaurant chain, opened in Oxford in 2008.
April 2009: Birth of Petal Blossom Rainbow
On 3 April 2009, Jamie Oliver and Jools welcomed their third child, Petal Blossom Rainbow.
December 2009: TED Prize Recipient Announcement
In December 2009, it was announced that Jamie Oliver would receive the 2010 TED Prize.
December 2009: Awarded the 2010 TED Prize
In recognition of his impactful campaigns promoting healthier lifestyles and diets, Jamie Oliver was awarded the prestigious 2010 TED Prize.
2009: Recipease Chain Launch
Jamie Oliver launched Recipease, a chain of cooking schools and delis, in the UK in 2009.
July 2010: Regains Top Spot in UK Hospitality
In July 2010, Jamie Oliver was once again named the most powerful and influential person in the UK hospitality industry, regaining the top spot on the Caterersearch.com 100 list.
August 2010: Wins Emmy for Food Revolution
On 21 August 2010, Jamie Oliver won an Emmy for his series Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution at the 62nd Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, which addressed childhood obesity in America.
September 2010: Birth of Buddy Bear Maurice
On 15 September 2010, Jamie Oliver and Jools welcomed their fourth child, Buddy Bear Maurice.
2010: Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution
Jamie Oliver's television series, "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution," premiered in 2010, focusing on improving American eating habits.
2010: TED Prize Winner
Jamie Oliver won the TED Prize in 2010 for his TED Talk.
2010: Participates in "The Big Fish Fight"
Jamie Oliver joined forces with fellow celebrity chefs, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Gordon Ramsay, in 2010 for a television series titled "The Big Fish Fight." This series aimed to raise awareness about the wasteful discarding of fish in the fishing industry due to restrictive quotas.
July 2011: Jamie Oliver and Sainsbury's Part Ways
After eleven years, Jamie Oliver's partnership with Sainsbury's came to an end in July 2011. This followed public criticism Oliver directed at the supermarket chain, including CEO Justin King, for selling "junk" food contributing to unhealthy children's lunches.
2011: Controversy over Sauce Sourcing and Food Safety
In 2011, Jamie Oliver, despite advocating for cooking from scratch and using local produce, faced criticism when it was revealed that sauces used in his Glasgow-based Jamie's Italian restaurant were sourced from an industrial park 400 miles away. Adding to the controversy were concerns over food safety practices in his restaurants, including illnesses linked to undercooked mincemeat potentially contaminated with E. coli.
2011: Barbecoa Restaurant Launch
Jamie Oliver, in partnership with Adam Perry Lang, launched Barbecoa, a barbecue restaurant, in London in 2011.
2012: Jamie's 15 Minute Meals Airs
Jamie Oliver's cooking show, "Jamie's 15 Minute Meals," aired on Channel 4 for 40 episodes in 2012.
August 2013: Partnership with Sobeys
In August 2013, Jamie Oliver partnered with the Canadian supermarket chain, Sobeys. The focus of this partnership was on improving nationwide nutrition and developing advertising campaigns.
October 2013: Partnership with Woolworths Supermarkets
Jamie Oliver expanded his reach in October 2013 by partnering with the Australian supermarket chain, Woolworths Supermarkets. The collaboration centered around initiatives and advertising campaigns promoting better nutrition.
2013: Awarded Honorary Fellowship
In 2013, Jamie Oliver received an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal College of General Practitioners for his efforts in improving the nutritional value of school dinners and tackling childhood obesity.
2013: Reads First Novel
In 2013, Jamie Oliver, who has severe dyslexia, read his first novel, Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, at the age of 38.
2014: Criticism over Woolworths Supermarkets Partnership Funding
Jamie Oliver's role as the culinary face of Woolworths Supermarkets in 2014 drew strong criticism, particularly regarding the funding transparency surrounding the advertising of his partnership with the supermarket.
2014: Barbecoa Hygiene Issues
In 2014, the Piccadilly branch of Barbecoa temporarily closed due to hygiene concerns, including reports of mouse droppings and out-of-date meat.
2014: Estimated Net Worth of £240 Million
In 2014, Jamie Oliver's net worth was estimated to be an impressive £240 million, reflecting his successful culinary career and various business ventures.
October 2015: Listed as Influential Entrepreneur
On 29 October 2015, Jamie Oliver was listed at number 2 by Richtopia in the list of 100 Most Influential British Entrepreneurs.
2015: Recipease Chain Closure
By the end of 2015, all Recipease stores had closed.
January 2016: Collaboration with HelloFresh
Jamie Oliver ventured into the meal kit subscription service world in January 2016 by partnering with HelloFresh. This collaboration involved incorporating his recipes into their weekly subscription deliveries, providing customers with pre-portioned ingredients and instructions for one Jamie Oliver dish.
August 2016: Birth of River Rocket Blue Dallas
On 7 August 2016, Jamie Oliver and Jools welcomed their fifth child, River Rocket Blue Dallas.
November 2016: Jamie's Italian Australia Part-Buyback
In November 2016, Jamie Oliver bought back part of the Jamie's Italian franchise in Australia after its founders declared bankruptcy.
January 2017: Jamie's Italian Restaurant Closures
Six Jamie's Italian restaurants in the UK closed in January 2017, resulting in 120 job losses.
February 2017: Criticism of the Red Tractor Scheme
In February 2017, Jamie Oliver publicly criticized the Red Tractor scheme, drawing ire from farming leaders like Minette Batters, the president of the NFU. Oliver's critique centered around the welfare of chickens bred for fast growth, which he argued compromises their well-being. He expressed concerns about the quality of the meat and its suitability for children.
2017: Collaborates with Hotpoint on "Fresh Thinking for Forgotten Food"
In 2017, Jamie Oliver joined forces with British domestic appliance manufacturer, Hotpoint, to support their "Fresh Thinking for Forgotten Food" campaign aimed at reducing food waste.
January 2018: Jamie's Italian Debt Restructuring
In January 2018, to manage debts of £71.5 million, Jamie Oliver's Jamie's Italian Ltd entered a company voluntary arrangement, involving rent reductions and restaurant closures.
February 2018: Barbecoa Administration and Buyback
Jamie Oliver's Barbecoa restaurant in London went into administration in February 2018, after which he bought back the St Paul's location.
September 2018: Recipe Development and Promotion for Tesco
In September 2018, Jamie Oliver partnered with the UK supermarket chain, Tesco. He created a series of recipes and tips while participating in the promotion of their food products.
2018: Opens Hotpoint Pop-Up Cafe
Continuing his partnership with Hotpoint, Jamie Oliver opened a pop-up cafe in London in 2018 to promote their "Fresh Thinking for Forgotten Food" campaign.
February 2019: Bestselling Author Milestone
By February 2019, Jamie Oliver had become the second-bestselling British author after J.K. Rowling.
May 2019: Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group Administration
In May 2019, Jamie Oliver's restaurant chain, Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group, went into administration.
May 2019: Fifteen Restaurant Closure
Jamie Oliver's Fifteen restaurant in London, which provided culinary training for disadvantaged youth, closed in May 2019.
May 2019: Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group Collapse
Jamie Oliver's restaurant chain collapsed in May 2019.
May 2019: Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group Administration and Partial Continuation
Twenty-two out of twenty-five Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group restaurants closed in May 2019, resulting in 1,000 job losses. However, some locations, including international franchises, continued to operate.
2019: Moves to Spains Hall
During the summer of 2019, Jamie Oliver and his family moved into Spains Hall, a 16th-century mansion in Finchingfield, Essex, valued at £6m.
2019: Partnership with Shell for "Jamie Oliver Deli by Shell"
In 2019, Jamie Oliver partnered with Royal Dutch Shell to launch a "Jamie Oliver Deli by Shell" range at 500 Shell petrol stations across the UK. This £5 million deal attracted criticism, with some viewing it as an attempt by Shell to improve its image following controversies related to climate change, corruption, and bribery allegations. The partnership also raised concerns about consistency with Oliver's image of advocating for children's well-being and climate action.
January 2020: Financial Losses and Labor Law Ruling
In January 2020, it was reported that most of the £80 million debt from the collapse of Jamie Oliver's restaurant chain would not be recovered. Later in 2020, an employment tribunal ruled that the restaurant group had violated labor laws during the redundancy process.
January 2022: Protest Against Delay of Obesity Strategy
In January 2022, Jamie Oliver staged a protest outside Downing Street, serving Eton mess dessert, to express his disappointment over the UK government's decision to postpone the implementation of key elements within its obesity strategy.
April 2022: Charity Dinner for #CookForUkraine
In April 2022, Jamie Oliver co-organized a charity dinner in London with Ukrainian chef Yurii Kovryzhenko as part of the #CookForUkraine initiative. The event aimed to raise money for Ukrainians affected by the Russian invasion.
December 2022: Guest Editor on Today Programme
On 27 December 2022, Jamie Oliver was the Guest Editor on the Today Programme on BBC Radio 4.
November 2023: Jamie Oliver Catherine Street Restaurant Launch
In November 2023, Jamie Oliver opened his first restaurant since the collapse of his restaurant chain, Jamie Oliver Catherine Street, in London. The restaurant was launched in partnership with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s LW Theatres at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
March 2024: Jamie’s Italian Belgrade Restaurant Launch
In March 2024, Jamie Oliver expanded his restaurant empire into Serbia with the opening of Jamie’s Italian Belgrade. This marked his first venture in this part of Europe, with the restaurant situated in the bustling Belgrade Waterfront quarter.