The Naked Chef Takes Off

by Jamie Oliver

Jamie Oliver, the Naked Chef, is a culinary star with charm that shines even brighter than his glossy pictures (People). Hes the Food Networks latest sensation, a Today Show regular, and, a GQ man of the month. His audience appeal keeps growing and his primetime show on the Food Network continues to reap huge ratings as he teaches everyone the secret behind fresh, simple, delicious cooking. In The Naked Chef Takes Off, TVs hottest young chef (USA Weekend) returns to offer even more delectable stripped-down recipes with basic ingredients and a minimum of fuss. In this new book, Jamie features fantastic breakfasts, tapas, roasts, fish dishes, and desserts to die for. Best of all, each of the recipes is accompanied by Jamies winning, off-the-cuff commentary and straightforward food philosophy (Los Angeles Times) that will encourage confidence and inspire both new and experienced cooks. Filled throughout with gorgeous photographs of both the recipes and the chef, here is a book to savor and to share.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction, Reference, Food and Drink, Culinary

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

James Trevor "Jamie" Oliver, sometimes known as The Naked Chef, is an English chef and media personality well known for his growing list of food-focused television shows, his more recent roles in campaigning against the use of processed foods in national schools, and his campaign to change unhealthy diets and poor cooking habits for the better across the United Kingdom.

Reviews

[Carol, She's so Novel ꧁꧂ · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my sisters was given the British version (I acquired an American version from an op shop) around 2001 & I remember pouring through the pages, looking at what seemed new & innovative food.Times change & cafe style food is hugely popular in my country (New Zealand) When I flicked through the pages some of the recipes seemed a bit obvious - for example, beefsteak tomatoes, basil, ham and mild cheese on thick toast. In summer that is a usual lunch in my house. (& why, oh why, do I seem to be the only person in the world who loves beefsteak tomatoes? Even Jamie has a wee dig at them! They make a great sandwich base!)

On my second flick through I found fantastic fish pie I decided it would work with our local cheap but usually tasteless hoki fish - & it did! The hoki was very fresh & the hot mustard added a bit of bite, the nutmeg some sweetness. My husband (& I'm starting to realise he is turning into one picky eater!) doesn't normally like hoki but he said he would be happy to eat this dish every week! Inspired & encouraged I made a couple of the sides last night. The baked beetroot was an absolute unqualified success & I will now make it again & again. I really liked the steamed spinach with coconut rice - but that was a lot of calories for a mild (but delicious) result. That one might be a one off.

This early Oliver work doesn't have so many of the vanity photos that drive me crazy in some of his later works. & he looks so ridiculously, endearingly young in this book (he gives his age as 24, but he looks waaay younger than that!)

If you can pick this book up secondhand or from your local library, I would recommend taking a look. I have at least a half dozen other recipes I want to try.

[Klinta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Jamie and his thoughts about veg and home cooking.

In this book though everything is so... Italian? Well I don't like pancetta or Parma ham, honestly, I don't like any cured, hard meats. But most of the recipes have them, which is a little sad for my home cooking.

And since I have worked in quite a few kitchens now already, some of the things were familiar to me already (but that is not a bad thing, I just got a bit more inspired to do something like that at home as well).

Nevertheless, there were few good tips (not particular recipes, but tips and advises) that I stored in my mind and will definitely use.

I enjoyed bread and pizza chapter (perhaps because I have always made it like that (thanks, mom)), veg as well, though I thought that is it a little to short, would have loved it, if there would be a bit more stress on it. And funnily enough I liked the fish chapter (although I do not eat fish and the fishes in the pictures looked a bit sad) I have always improvised when I had to cook fish and seems that I have done the right thing.

[Jaya K · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first cookbook I cooked almost half the recipes from. So much yum. Reads like lit--apparently he speaks his recipes aloud and they're written by someone else. Could be urban myth.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite and only cookbook. I love the ravioli with ricotta cheese and pine nuts and basil. Also I've made the pot roast with peaches and sunchokes, which taste like really savory potatoes. Its delicious slathered in peach juice. Yummy.

[Kecia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love pasta. I can eat it everyday and be happy. This book is full of great pasta recipes. I have now prepared all of them and they are all winners! I also made the roasted beets this summer and it was to die for. Even those who think they don't like beets would probably love Jamie's recipe.

I'm now starting on some of the starters and snacks.

This is one my favorite all time cookbooks.

[Ms. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie's way of cooking - a glob of this and a crank of that...it's right up my alley. Everything I've made that's been inspired by this book has been freakin' fabulous. My fave is the avocado/watercress/new potato salad - just toss it all together with some good olive oil, fresh lemon, salt and peppa! Mmmmmmm......

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this as a birthday present when I was 16. Stared at the beautiful pictures for ages, and when I began actually making some of the recipes, found they were excellent as well. I am especially fond of the Roast Chicken, the Asian salad (I add noodles for a no-cook meatless dinner), and the Pukkolla, best make-ahead breakfast ever.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, known as The Return of the Naked Chef where I come from, is the Jamie Oliver book I use most frequently, except perhaps Jamie's Dinners. The latter section on sauces, pickles, dips etc is outstanding.

[emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

brother got me this for christmas- haven't done even a fraction of the recipes yet, but just from reading it i can tell i'm going to love it. everything looks so tasty and he explains it all so i think even an extreme novice would be able to do a lot of the recipes. jamie oliver is my jam!

[Wallflowering · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Naked Chef Takes Off by Jamie Oliver (1/3)

[Wallflowering · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Naked Chef Takes Off by Jamie Oliver (2/3)

[Wallflowering · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Naked Chef Takes Off by Jamie Oliver (3/3)

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a re-read for me -- Thanksgiving is next week! This book taught me how to make the bomb baked chicken with lemon, I highly recommend it. A little more free-form than most cookbooks, but lots of fun and great pictures.

[Lwg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even if you're not a fan of Jamie Oliver, this book has a good range of basic recipes and lots of ideas for informal entertaining, although there's a bit too much of the 'pile it all on a plate and invite everyone to share' approach.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a book now 24 years old, I was stunned and the relevance of the recipes and how fresh it still felt. This is primal Jamie at his most invigorating and vital. Some of the prose has dated but the cooking is top notch.

[Steph Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sat down and read this cookbook like a novel, it was that entertaining. Beautiful pictures, delicious recipes and instructions.

[keong nakal]

jamie smiles o so cute,
witty silly funny dude,
n he can cooks great yummy foods...

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Jamie Oliver.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this cookbook, I don't use it as heavily as some of my others but it has some gems in there!

[Clare Butcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely his best!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a tricky book to cook with - as several of the recipes include errors - but the photos and the ideas are fun, and the layout is pretty

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jamie Oliver is just so cute.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic cooking book. I also love Jamie!!!!! Great easy to make delicious recipes!

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple recipes, easy to find ingredients, and no fluff.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jamie's recipes are easy to follow. The risotto recipes are delicious and simple to make. The photography in this book is wonderful.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the recipes in here and have had trouble deciding what to make first! I borrowed it from the library and I would like to buy a copy.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very worthwhile cook- book. Packed with all the recipes that hve hallmarks of Jamies simple yet delicious style, this will keep any keen cook occupied for a long while to come.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Jamie is adorable and his recipes are lovely/easy, I found it somehow obnoxious that all receipes imitated his actual way of speaking - casual, choppy, a little too cute.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh how I love thee, Jaime Oliver!

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

More yum.