Jamie Oliver

[Guest]

I watched Jamie Oliver’s programme on telly last night. I hate fly on the wall jobs but I have to confess this was really good. Celebrity chef takes some kids who are on their uppers and turns them into chefs. The results are unfortunately what you might expect (speaking as an increasingly jaundiced sceptic).

I really felt for these kids because they tried to take the opportunity given them but often, because of their background, couldn’t make it. A real shame.

Any suggestions?

Geoff

 

[Forbsie]

The boatyard under Richmond Bridge seems to be doing a similar thing (without the TV cameras) where these young kids are taught to build and renovate old boats, skiffs, etc. It is difficult to find a happier and hard-working bunch of kids and seeing the look of pride on their faces as they varnish their work always raises my spirits as I walk past.

I think that as human beings, we need to see physical results of our labours to satisfy our souls. Something sadly lacking in the 'service industry' oriented UK nowadays.

That sounded a bit mushy, but there you go.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.seafin.co.uk>Tender to...</A>

 

[sailbadthesinner]

yeh
rather than try and turn them into chefs in an unfeasibly short time
why not take some promising young chefs put them in the restaraunt
but then put the kids through catering college and employ them part time?

i admire what he is trying to do but i felt it was maybe too much to expect of some of these kids who athough not without a bility were really not up to the challenge.at least the guy has the balls to put his money were his mouth is.

If it F***s Flies or Floats. Rent it. For god's sake don't marry it.

 

[david_e]

Mixed thoughts really, don't really think that he has been trained to; train, coach and manage these youngsters. It's the old situation where he thinks that everyone should be like him and he doesn't cope that well when they aren't.

Something is wrong somewhere in the 'people connection' for so many of these kids to walk away from what even they know is a good opportunity.


Main question is? Is he famous because of his culinary brilliance or his presentation style, we know it's the latter hence the aforementioned weaknesses.

Can't believe he has invested all that dosh in the building without full planning.

Reckon if he had a boat he would be a stinkie!

 

[pugwash]

The place is evidently booked solid to the end of February. That says something.

 

[Guest]

Disagree

I tend to be very sceptical about these people (celebs) but I thought he was excellent. I didn't get the impression he wanted everyone to be like him (although I know what you mean with successful people in general). I have a greater estimation of him now.

I couldn't believe how relatively calm he stayed under quite a lot of pressure. Hats off to him on that front as well.

Didn't get your 2nd para. I think you may be on to the same thing as me - these kids saw the opportunity but were unable to grasp it. My any suggestions comment was really meant to say - "anything we can do?" rather than specific opinions on the programme - although they too are interesting.

I suspect he's a damn good chef and his presentation skills are excellent.

As regards boat - can't say.

Geoff

 

[steve_cronin]

Jamie Oliver? Yer! Man o\' the people ain\'t \'e

rides a beat up old scooter - don't need no fancy posh cars mate and me mum would fink I woz gettin above me station.

TV show to enhance the old cred wiff the punters? Magic! Yes I'll do it like any other Blair babe or BLOKE would.

(Won't do the old bank balance much 'arm either mate, tee hee!)

These kids were taken advantage of and the overpaid trendies who have "booked the place till the end of February" good luck to 'em. Give me the very good value for money (£11) lunch at Le Gavroche or the plate of magnificent fungii at Carluccio's for around £8 any day of the week.

I know that the ladies love "Dear Jamie" but I view the "bloke who does the cooking" in the same light as I view my plumber; I'm glad he's there and I like the quality of the job he does but I wouldn't pour adulation or fame all over him.

Fluff, spin, modern media gone mad.

What this country needs is a proper apprenticeship scheme re-introducing and less kids being conned into attending indifferent "New" universities to study "Sports Science", "Media Studies" ( Do we really need Pop Stars and the Fame Academy? They were on 4 different channels at the same time last night!) and "Footwear Design Technology" only to find themselves un-employable and working in Asda or Macdonalds sadly disillusioned to find that the jobs of Director of Sport England, Controller of Radio One or chief designer at Gucci Shoes are already taken!

I don't want to stifle ambition - far from it I have two sons myself but I feel that in recent years we are sadly misleading our most precious resource up a miriad of dead ends.

Steve Cronin

 

[Forbsie]

Re: Jamie Oliver? Yer! Man o\' the people ain\'t \'e

£11 at Le Gavroche?????

Last time I went it was £115 plus a third again for brandies after!!! Have they got a soup kitchen round the back then?

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.seafin.co.uk>Tender to...</A>

 

[sailbadthesinner]

Re: Jamie Oliver? Yer! Man o\' the people ain\'t \'e

i would not mind but it is only since the boom in media studies that the media seems to have gone down hill

If it F***s Flies or Floats. Rent it. For god's sake don't marry it.

 

[pugwash]

Exploitation - what\'s wrong with it?

Steve,
Your last point is well made and on the button, couldn't agree more. The rest of what you say is (mostly) rant. I agree that the Fame Academy is terrible entertainment and overdone, but it's got nothing to do with university training etc.
Oliver offered these kids a great opportunity. Some of them fluffed it but most didn't. Sure, they're being made to dice carrots and scrub pans but so what? Isn't that what apprentices do? Bet young Jamie did his share in his father's pub/restaurant. Apprentices learn the hard, hands-on way. That's the whole point.
Yes, university is vastly over-rated these days (see today's Daily Tel, leader page) and I say that having put four kids through the BA mill. Yes, we need apprentices. And plumbers, and bricklayers and cooks, etc. What Oliver does or doesn't do on telly isn't going to affect that.
Last week a university lecturer wrote to a paper complaining that he'd called out a plumber and been billed £100 for the first half hour. "I can't afford that!" he protested.
"Neither could I when I was a lecturer," said the plumber.

 

[Guest]

Re: Jamie Oliver? Yer! Man o\' the people ain\'t \'e

I think your 1st half is a bit OTT. I reckon he is trying to do some good at least.

However, I agree wholeheartedly with your second half (I'm sure your glad to know!). Proper apprenticeships are very very badly missed. (I was one!). Meaningless university degrees are a waste of time.

The point about some of the JO kids (is though) that their BACKGROUND (not shouting incidentally - just no underline) holds the back - both practically (no home, got to get back for the baby) and psychologically ("I'm not up to this).

Geoff

 

[Peppermint]

In TV circles

No one can understand why he's done it.

The potential downside to his career is massive. He's underwritten it with his own money and there's every chance that it won't work.

It also exposes the fact that the poshest kitchens in the land are not doing magic. It's just hard work, organization & a bit of flair.

I always thought the bloke was a bit of a tosser but this show's changed my, and a lot of other peoples, mind.

 

[steve_cronin]

Re: Jamie Oliver? Yer! Man o\' the people ain\'t \'e

NO! Set two course fast lunch mid day was £11 last boat show time. We had the £36 for five courses (plus the tasties inbetween) but the quick lunch looked very good value and we might have changed it but our order arrived just as we were a-pondering.

He who hesitates is poor!

Steve Cronin

 

[Jacket]

Re: In TV circles

>The potential downside to his career is massive.

How can it be bad for his career when your, and everyone elses, reaction has been:

>I always thought the bloke was a bit of a tosser but this show's changed my, and a lot of other peoples, mind.

Didn't see the show, so can't really comment, but my cynical reaction would be that he did it at least partially for the publicity.

Either his experiment works, and he's got free publicity, or it doesn't work, gets rid of the trainees, gets back regular kitchen staff, and has still had free publicity, with everyone now thinking he's a nice bloke.

 

[paul_lomax]

My flatmate does Jamie's merchandise..

The denim apron is a best seller!

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://jamieoliver.swagshop.com/>http://jamieoliver.swagshop.com/</A>

 

[pkb]

For the TV guys this sort of programming has the advantage of being a very cheap way of filling airtime. It also represents a dearth of original thinking.

Someone does a fly on the wall and then everyone follows suit. Likewise pop wannabe's and home makeovers. How soon now before we get a flood of help the disadvantaged programming.

Its all pretty cynical.

Peter

 

[Mr Cassandra]

Re: Jamie Oliver? Yer! Man o\' the people ain\'t \'e

Don`t look down on plumbers, not only do I own a furniture factory I also have a chain of Fireplace shops . to keep a good Corgi reg plumber I have to pay £40 ph, on average, they work 50 hrs per week , £2000 not bad
cheers bob t

Bob T

 

[Guest]

I don\'t see anything wrong with that. nm

.

 

[steve_cronin]

Re: Jamie Oliver? Yer! Man o\' the people ain\'t \'e

I don't look down on plumbers (except the bloke round the corner who is 2" shorter than me) but i don't look up to them either as the media would have me do to the likes of Mr Oliver & Mrs Beckham -Has the ear of Mrs Blair you know!

I always thought that C.O.R.G.I. accreditation was a good licence to print money for shaven headed, ear-ringed tattooed white van men. The sparkies aren't too far behind them either -our local one runs a Porsche and a Landcruiser for his wife.

Steve Cronin

 

[pugwash]

What\'s cynical about it?

Somebody comes up with a good idea and others copy it. That's life. So what if it leads to a flood of programs that help the disadvantaged? Sounds a great idea to me. For TV viewers, it's the way it's done that matters. Is it derivative or does it break new ground? Jamie did the latter, now others will copy him. Better that than more bedroom makeovers.