My Taste Of Italy!

Jamie Oliver on his joy at bringing us the delights of Italian cuisine in his new series…

- Victoria Wilson

From the moment TV Times arrives at Jamie Oliver HQ in North London, there’s no mistaking where we are. As we wait for the man himself, we notice Jamie’s best-selling cookbooks from his hit TV series’ Quick & Easy Food and 15-Minute Meals dotted all around his rustic-looking offices, alongside samples of the many branded goods that have helped him amass his estimated £240 million fortune. Oh, and there are plates piled high with tantalising-looking food everywhere, all ready to be sampled by some lucky taste testers.

Since bursting on to our screens as TV’s The Naked Chef in 1999, Jamie has achieved more than he could have possibly imagined. That said, he’s never lost his love of cooking and he’s going back to his roots with his latest series, Jamie Cooks Italy, which starts this week.

The eight-parter sees Jamie and his friend and mentor Gennaro Contaldo, touring Italy on a moped, in search of the heart of the country’s cuisine.

Along the way, they meet some colourful characters – the Nonnas (grandmothers) and other home cooks who’ve perfected recipes that have been lovingly handed down over several generations.

As we sit down with Jamie, 43, his enthusiasm for Italian food is infectious, making us desperate to find out more about the show...

Why did you want to make this show so much?