By the age of eight, Jamie Oliver was already cooking in his parents' pub and restaurant in Essex. By the age of 22, his foul mouth and mischievous image in the kitchens of The River Cafe won him his own TV series, The Naked Chef. This is the definitive biography of a man who grew up in the kitchen and came into his own on television, as Jamie and his buddies—strewn through his series as effortlessly as he tossed herbs into his easy dishes—became familiar, welcome presences in the public's living rooms. Equally interesting as his fame is what he has done with it—grabbing at-risk kids off the street and training them to cook, setting up a charity that would keep them working at one of London’s trendiest restaurants, and working to bring radical change to the public school meal system. Exclusive interviews with those at the forefront of the food industry and with those who have helped shape Jamie's career round out this look at the man known alternately as a television star, the chef that taught guys to cook rather than defrost, and a people's champion.

Suggested Book Club Questions for Jamie Oliver: Turning Up the Heat: A Biography (Fiction)

The following book club questions provide a starting point for creating a reading group discussion on Jamie Oliver:

• Did Gilly Smith emphasize any specific themes throughout Jamie Oliver? What do you think Gilly Smith is trying to explain with this theme?
• What was unique about the setting of Jamie Oliver and how did it affect the storyline?
• Could you relate to any of the characters? If so, which ones and why?
• How do characters change or learn throughout Jamie Oliver? What events caused these changes? Have you or someone you know experienced the same thing?
• How does Jamie Oliver reveal Gilly Smith's own perspectives about people and the world? For a lively discussion, describe why you think Gilly Smith is liberal or conservative.
• Did certain parts of Jamie Oliver affect you emotionally? Why did it evoke those emotions?
• Did Gilly Smith's point of view on things lend new perspective to your own view of the world?

Suggested Book Club Questions for Jamie Oliver: Turning Up the Heat: A Biography (Non-fiction)

The following book club questions provide a starting point for creating a reading group discussion on Jamie Oliver:

• Did Gilly Smith make persuasive arguments in Jamie Oliver? Did Jamie Oliver change or reinforce your opinion on the subject?
• What did you learn from Jamie Oliver?
• How does Gilly Smith present the information and did you enjoy it?
• How is Gilly Smith biased within Jamie Oliver? Is there a political slant to what is being discussed and how does it impact the book?
• What, if anything, does Jamie Oliver make you want to read next? Why?