Jamie's Kitchen

amie's Kitchen-the television show-began as an experiment and turned into a phenomenon. It started when Jamie took in 15 unemployed, enthusiastic kids, trained them to be chefs, and helped them open a restaurant, Fifteen, that has become the hottest dining spot in London. When England's Channel 4 launched a tie-in series, more than four million people tuned in. The show premiers this fall in the U.S. Jamie's Kitchen-the book-is laid out as a cooking course and will inspire readers of all levels. Some of the cooking techniques included are making salads, cooking without heat, poaching and boiling, steaming, stewing and braising, roasting, grilling, and baking. In the process, Jamie shares one-of-a-kind, delicious recipes, such as prosciutto and pecorino, citrus-seared tuna with crispy noodles, herbs, and chili; smoked haddock risotto; and baked chocolate pudding. Jamie includes tips on how to take recipes in new directions and how to be an inspired grocery shopper-spotting what's good, what's in season, and what's a good value. Most important, Jamie encourages budding cooks to have confidence and a sense of independence, and to be master of the kitchen!

Jamie Oliver started cooking at his parents' pub, The Cricketers, in Clavering, Essex, at the age of eight. He has worked with some of England's top chefs -- including Antonio Carluccio and Gennaro Contaldo at the Neal Street Restaurant and Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers at the River Cafe -- and is now running his new restaurant. Fifteen, in East London. He has written for the Saturday Times, was food editor at GQ and Marie Claire magazines, and has been featured in the chef column of the New York Times