Jamie Oliver confirmed for two brand new series on Channel 4
Category: News Release
Great food in Italy isn’t about Michelin stars, it’s about traditional home cooking, so in Jamie Cooks Italy, Jamie Oliver and his friend and mentor Gennaro Contaldo will be going right to the heart of Italian cuisine. The pair will be travelling far and wide to learn Italy’s best-kept secrets from the true masters of the Italian kitchen – the nonnas and the home cooks who have perfected recipes that have been lovingly handed down over generations. Jamie and Gennaro will be picking up tips and showing us how we can recreate these authentic masterpieces in our own homes.
Travelling to eight different regions – from Puglia in Spring and the Aeolian Islands in Summer to Tuscany in Autumn and Rome in Winter – Jamie and Gennaro will uncover the wisdom of the locals, experience seasonal foodie delights and learn the secrets of mouth-watering regional recipes to pass on to future generations and food lovers around the world.
In 2017, Jamie’s Quick & Easy Food launched on Channel 4 with an average audience of 1.4m / 6.4% on Monday’s 8pm slot which was up +11% on slot share for all individuals. Following that success, Jamie will return for 18 further episodes bursting with tasty dishes all using just five ingredients and focusing on ease, simplicity, clever tricks and techniques. Recipes will include: Quick steak stir-fry; crowd-pleasing Harissa chicken tray bake; scrumptious Rosé pesto prawn pasta; speedy Smoky pancetta cod; and the very moreish Buddy’s flapjacks.
Jamie Oliver said: “I love the Italian approach to life – it fills me with such joy! That's why I’m super-excited about my new Jamie Cooks Italy TV series and book. Me and Gennaro had so much fun travelling around Italy, from the mountains to the beaches, picking up tips, ideas and inspiration along the way. We met some incredible characters, and had a good few laughs, too. On the recipe front, I've got all occasions covered – fast and slow options, simple dishes for you and a friend, family suppers, weekend treats and epic celebratory feasts. I’d love everyone to take a bit of the Italian heart and soul of the nonnas' approach into their cooking.
“Plus, before that, we’ve got the beautiful 'part two' of Quick & Easy Food. If you loved the first series – and I’m really happy so many of you did – then you’re in for a real treat with the next batch of episodes. They include some of my favourite five-ingredient dishes! I can’t wait to see what you think."
Jamie Cooks Italy was commissioned by Channel 4 Factual Entertainment commissioning editor Sarah Lazenby, series directed and executive produced by Katy Fryer.
Jamie’s Quick & Easy Food was directed by Ed St Giles and Niall Downing, series produced by Katie Millard and executive produced by Katy Fryer and Sam Beddoes.
Sarah Lazenby said: “This delightful series brings alive the spirit and passion of Italian cooking and has all the ingredients for a deliciously enjoyable watch – the nation’s favourite chef and his wonderful mentor being put through their paces by the dons of Italian cooking – the nonnas. The irrevocable success of Quick & Easy meant this was a pretty quick and easy commission. With only 5 ingredients even I’ve started cooking myself.”
ENDS