Jamie Oliver - saint or cynic?

[Mines]

Now, don't run away with the idea that I have a thing for Mr Oliver (couldn't be doing with that mouth, for a start) but have to say I am damned impressed with 'Jamie's Kitchen' and with his efforts. Makes great TV and might do some good.

On the other hand, I think some of the editing might have been a bit unfair. When Michelle walked out, I thought 'bloody good riddance' but then I remembered she has a kid at home and she can't be that workshy, or how would she have managed to raise her kid?

What do people think?

I love this programme, I always thought he was a bit of a w*er, but this has changed my opinion of him totally. These kids are being offered a real opportunity to make something of themselves, he has taken 15 kids who are unemployed, homeless or whatever and tried to give them a chance that loads of people would jump at. He didn't want to know their background history, and has treated them on teh level at all times. Half of tehm are really taking the piss! They got everything provided for them including money to get to and from the college (he paid for taxis for one girl a few times) and some showed up for less than 50% of the lessons - she siad she had no money, but he called her on her mobile!!

Maybe some of the editing is unfair, but if you have watched all teh episodes, she has been a bolshy, difficult cow all along. It wasn't to do with the hours that he went, she couldn't stand being told what to do. He always made allowences for her kid etc, more than with some.

I love this show, and apparently he plans to take on 15 kids each year for this. WHat a star I think

There was an article all about this in yesterdays Guardian ....can't get link to work so copy & paste I'm afraid www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,853889,00.html

I think its a great programme. Some info tho. You know Tim, his star pupil who worked really well, and produced all the starters, his father is a multi millionaire who owns loads of restaurants in the midlands....apparently. You haven't heard this... roight!

I too am enjoying watching this programme and really admire Jamie (must admit I am not that keen on him most of the time) - he is doing something really practical and admirable - he seems to have endless patience with those kids, most of the ones featured are so bolshie; I did a catering course as a 'mature' student a few years ago and most of the other students were just like the ones on the programme - they hadn't a clue what 'working life' was really about. In fact our old professor slated the programme in the 'Telegraph' this week, stating that it gives the catering industry a really bad name; however in my opinion the bad language etc is pretty realistic regarding what happens in most kitchens!

I too am a fan, I don't normal watch him but DH and I stumbled across this luckily on the first episode and it is very good. I can't understand how these people can be given a HUGE opportunity to get off their butts and do something with their lives, most people especially those actually training or have trained to do this cooking mularky would give their right and probably left arms as well for a chance like this, and here's 15 who aren't really that bothered either way and string him a long with a pack of lies and he is soooo determined to get them to succeed he gives them chance and chance again. Either way he MUST end up with egg on is face. Is next week the last one? As I've got a feeling it really is going to go 'Pete Tong' Saying that they seemed to all learn from his fake customers prank last week, so maybe leopards can change their spots.

I too love this series and admire what he is doing - I also believe that he is totally committed and genuine about this project. However, I wonder if he has been set up a little by producers behind the scenes when making the final selection more than their cookery interests in mind and were conscious of what would make a more edgy and interesting series. Big gamble, looks like it has paid off. Personally I would have chucked 3 or 4 off the course by now - and if I were the famous "Jules" I think I would have given him a long talk about family commitment and being around a little more often....

I've heard from a friend of someone who has been to the restaurant and actually found it very good. The bloke Tim(bo) who's dad is a multi millionaire is from Reading. When asked why all the people chosen from London they said they just went to a London Job Centre. But this bloke is from Reading. I do think this is a little fishy. It seems that this bloke is the star pupil.

Excellent - glad I'm not the only one who is riveted to this. Also glad I'm not the only one who wants to shake some of the trainees. Actually found myself shouting at the TV last week: 'the world doesn't owe you a living you know'. My mother would be proud . From my limited experience in professional kitchens, they are going to get a bloody rude shock when they have to do this for real.

I must say I also think 'the lovely Jules' probably deserves to be nominated for most tolerant woman on the planet (along with a few fellow mumsnetters). If my other half had decided to be out half the night chasing recalcitrant trainees when my DS was under 3 months I would have thrown a complete tanty.

I really wish I'd watched this now - anyone know if it's due to be repeated on any of the satellite channels at some point?

I like the show and I think he comes accross really well. The kids don't surprise me. We used to have work experience girls (mostly) at the magazines I used to work at. It was the chance of a lifetime - we did recruit from work experience - but most of them couldn't give a XXXX about doing work or being committed. I remember offering one girl a pair of tickets to a preview of a big new movie. You got a private screening theatre at 6pm, drink free wine and eat free nibbles and sandwiches, then see a film months before anyone else in incredibly comfy seats so it's hardly hard work. I also told her she could then write a review for publication in a national magazine. She just looked at me and said, 'Oh I was meeting a friend' 'Take your friend with me' 'Oh no, I've got other plans.' And I just thought, 'Well you'll never make it then.' I actually terminated her placement that week to give someone else a chance. Most of them were so lazy and unhelpful it wasn't true, so I completely sympathise with Jamie (though I was a lot less patient). I think he looks like a nice bloke and his baby's gorgeous. Jools has been with him since they were teenagers so she knew what she was getting into re his time at home. He's certainly a good provider though and they have a lovely lifestyle and she can be a well looked after SAHM which is what she wants. You can't have it all ways, can you?

I love this program because it reassures me.Dh watches with his jaw dropped open at the bolshieness of the students and I just laugh. It's exactly what I have to put up with every day teaching in an inner London college. Mind you, I would never get away with swearing at the students like the tutors.

I've also worked in restaurants, and those kids won't know what's hit them when they venture out into the real world.

I've enjoyed this series too, and I never watch Jamie Oliver normally. I do think he is doing something good by giving these trainees the chances that they've had, it's been great tv, and I'm sure he won't be losing out financially when the book, tv series, restaurant etc are all taken into account. Is the restaurant a suitable venue for the next London mumsnet meetup?

I'm fascinated by the programme too and constantly have to fight with the urge of wanting to shake the recruits and then remember that they have all (except maybe for Tim?? How did he get in then??) had a rotten start in life. For example, when the er ... larger ... blond girl was missing classes Jamie got hold of her on her mobile while she was out shopping in the local mall with her Mum. My immediate thought was why the hell wasn't her Mum questioning why she wasn't at college but you're probably talking about parents who don't encourage their kids, show interest, etc. It must be so hard, at such a young age, to find all your enthusiasm and commitment with little or no input or encouragement from parent/s.
Good on Jamie, I think he's remained remarkably calm so far and 'the lovely Jules' is a patient woman who I thought was lovely last week in the way she supported Jamie when things were hitting the fan when she was probably feeling a bit neglected herself.
Also, used to go out with a Head Chef and I can definitely say the language in a chef's kitchen is appalling, far worse than is being shown here!

Love this programme too, I can't believe some of the recruits just thowing an oportunity like this away. It has reaffirmed my belief that I would hate to work in a kitchen mind you!

Jules is ever so patient with him, maybe she is just glad to get him out of the house so she can go on Mumsnet! Are you out there Jules?

But the kids who came to us were usually middle class and had been to university - but they were just as lazy and useless and late etc. However, I suspect they knew someone would pick up the pieces. If these kids mess up, there will be nobody there for them. I suppose what annoys me more than their sheer laziness is their superior 'I'm too good for this' attitude. Low self-esteem is not a problem there, I think!

Actually, Aloha, I think you have a point there ? I?ve just been for a run along the river here in Cambridge. Lots of students rowing and therefore lots of students on the river bank supporting them. And I have to say their behaviour was f***g awful ? people trying to use the road for normal purposes abused, students never even thinking about getting out of the way, cycling into other people and swearing etc.

I was a student here (and not that long ago ) and I?m pretty certain that 75% of these kids do not lack self esteem ? probably the opposite. What they do seem to lack is any appreciation that the world does not revolve around them or ability to empathise with normal people trying to lead normal lives.

Yet loads of them will have had great upbringing, with supportive parents and relative affluence. Is there a connection? Are we actually making our kids too self centered? I?m getting a bit philosophical and off topic here, but as Slug and Aloha has pointed out, this sort of attitude seems to crop up a lot everywhere these days.

Or am I hopelessly old fashioned?

I'm another who loves this programme, even though I've only seen the first 2 episodes so far (Mum taping the others!) I think Jamie comes across as a really genuine bloke. Mind you, I quite enjoyed his Naked Chef series anyway. I'm glad I'm not the only one who wants to give these kids a damn good kicking. Most people (me included) would give their right arm for such an opportunity and some of these wasters are quite happy to screw it all up.

Actually, what really pissed me off in the second episode was the young guy who broke his hand and was suspended for telling his teacher to f**k off and threw a pencil at her! When he was called to an interview with his mum and his 'counsellor', Jamie told him he could start again and had to go on an anger management course. He then said to his mum that if Jamie Oliver cared so much about him, why wasn't he there for him every minute of the day, guiding him through his written work, helping him whenever he had a problem. GET A BLOODY LIFE!! Jamie has a hectic career, a wife, a child, a life and in my opinion, the patience of a saint (as does the lovely Jools) Some of these kids have absolutely no idea what hard work or comittment is.

I've only seen one but got really hacked off with the youngsters. Clearly some of them are not simply unemployed but unememployable IMO! There were 2 or 3 really ungrateful little idiots.

I got so annoyed I've not watched it since!

I haven't seen the programme but Jamie - he is so cute!!

Meant to see the programme but missed it - but SIL works for Penguin and has met him thru work several times and she thinks he is lovely. ( she's not so generous about Delia!)

I haven't seen the prog either but used to work for Sainsbo's, and the company mag featured him visiting a couple of stores a couple of times and all the "colleagues" he met thought he was lovely. If these students are taking the piss I think it's a real shame.

I certainly would not have given them all the chances that Jamie has given them. They would have been out in their ears, especially that Michelle. Her attitude is just so wrong for any working environment...if you make a mistake, do your best to rectify it, and then try not to do it again, don't get all huffy and stomp off.

I love Jamie, and would love him for a boss, as he certainly knows how to say the right things when his students are having problems. I don't know how much respect he is going to get in the kitchen though, having tried to be their mate first. I think he should have been more aloof to start with, as they are never going to take him seriously. I couldn't believe the text message sent to him by the 'larger' blonde girl in Tuesday's episode, it was so rude, even as a joke.

It's got to be one of the best bits of PR ever. He'd become so over exposed that most people were getting sick of the sight of him. I know I was. Now he's back with this brilliant project, putting up with all sorts of shite from a bunch of largely ungrateful, lazy muppets. He comes across as completely sincere and caring - but agree with Chinchilla that by being so matey he might have made it harder for some of his students to respect him. You get the feeling that some are thinking "Why is he being so matey to me? He doesn't know me. What's he trying to get out of it?" and that they don't really trust him as a result. I also think his overly friendly, down with the kids approach ("hey bro', what's up" - purleese) will make it harder for him to come down hard when he really needs to. Having said that the restaurant has had fantastic reviews and is booked up until February, so he seems to have pulled the cat out of the bag. Can't wait for next week's programme. Well done and good luck to them all (except the ones that still don't appreciate the incredible chance they have been given).