Jamie Oliver ‘baffled’ young British people ‘don’t want to work in kitchens’

Jamie Oliver just doesn’t understand why young people don’t want to work in kitchens following his own experiences and the opportunity it gave him to spend time honing his craft.

The father of Poppy, 20, Daisy, 19, Petal, 13, Buddy, 12, and River, six – who he shares with wife Jules – explained he only became good at cooking due to repetition. 

Carving out a successful career that includes many books and TV shows, the professional chef claimed British children were missing out on the ‘happiness’ he enjoyed during his time at the stove. 

‘I was good at cooking – not because I was born to do it or a genius but because I just did it again and again,’ he said.

‘I had a terrible time academically at school but I loved working at the weekend – learning to graft, learning to be tired, learning to earn a pound.

He added to the Radio Times: ‘I was blessed to work with seven chefs on a shift who all taught me how to do things and would whup me if I didn’t do them right.

‘It baffles me why British kids and people don’t want to work in kitchens. There’s a real happiness to be had.’ 

The star also reflected on childhood Christmasses spent helping his parents out in their Essex pub. 

Jamie revealed it was an ‘honour’ to live in a pub during the festive season and wouldn’t have traded it for a conventional family affair. 

The 47-year-old chef shared he had fond memories of being raised in the Essex bar and didn’t mind his parents having to work on December 25 because their local customers felt like family. 

The chef’s comments came after his pleas to redirect money generated from the so-called sugar tax to help fund more free school meals for children. 

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