Jamie Oliver: “If I came back on earth and did it again, I would go back to the pub”

Jamie Oliver revealed that his original plan after the success of his 1999 television programme Naked Chef was to open a 60-cover pub near Cambridge.

Speaking on Young Again with Kirsty Young on BBC Radio 4, the chef described his debut cooking show as a “sliding door moment”.

“Jools and I looked at each other and went – because it was a bit like being in a boy band it was that bonkers – do we do this or do we go back to the plan, and the plan was the pub,” he said.

Oliver fondly recalled working in a pub, which he referred to as “the most democratic place in the world”.

“There was a little pub called the Tickle Arms near Cambridge. It was like 60 covers and it was up for lease and I was like: ‘I’m going to have a pub one day with 60 covers, good beers, great wines, amazing service and we’re going to live a nice life.’”

When asked by Young if he would do everything again, including television, which catapulted his career, Oliver said he would “definitely” not.

“If I came back on earth and did it again, I would go to pub. I would have a normal life and I would be aware that anonymity is our most valuable gift that we will never give any currency to. I’m very grateful for what I had, but it’s definitely a big job to maintain 24/7 Jamie Oliver.”

His comments come ahead of the launch of his new restaurant, Jamie Oliver Catherine Street in London’s Covent Garden, due to take place later this month.

The opening comes four years after the collapse of the chef's UK restaurant arm, which saw the closure of the Jamie's Italian chain, as well as the Barbecoa and Fifteen brands.

Respected restaurateur Jeremy King joined the board of Jamie Oliver Group in an advisory role earlier this year.