Jamie Oliver doesn't understand why young people don't want to work in kitchens anymore

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has said he’s ‘baffled’ by the fact kids no longer want to work in kitchens.

The TV chef grew up helping out his folks at the pub they owned in Essex and says there’s ‘real happiness to be had’ working in a kitchen.

The dad-of-five spoke to the Radio Times about his own experiences of growing up working in a pub kitchen and says he managed to hone his craft - and became the success he is today - due to repetition.

He explained: "I was good at cooking – not because I was born to do it or a genius but because I just did it again and again.

"I had a terrible time academically at school but I loved working at the weekend – learning to graft, learning to be tired, learning to earn a pound."

Oliver went on to say he didn’t understand why kids these days didn’t fancy working a kitchen.

Agencja Fotograficzna Caro / Alamy Stock Photo

"I was blessed to work with seven chefs on a shift who all taught me how to do things and would whup me if I didn’t do them right,” he added.

"It baffles me why British kids and people don’t want to work in kitchens. There’s a real happiness to be had."

Oliver, 47, told the publication it had been an ‘honour’ to work in a busy kitchen over Christmas time.

Reflecting on his childhood, he said: “It was full of festivities – decorations everywhere – very jolly, very loud. It was a gift, an honour, to live in a pub.

“On Christmas Day we’d be up early to do all the pressies, but we’d be open for business from 10am.

“All the locals were like extended aunts and uncles – I was brought up by 30 women.”

Cpuk / Alamy Stock Photo

Oliver has previously revealed that all of his kids have helped him out in the kitchen and that son Buddy, 12, is a particular asset.

Speaking to Hello Magazine last month, he said: “Buddy is such an asset in the kitchen and he’s been getting amongst it since he was really little. His knife skills are getting really good now. He's always happy to help out, and to be honest, all the kids have had their moments.

“Poppy (20) and Daisy (19) are out doing their own thing a lot now but when they were younger they'd always be picking herbs and helping with jobs here and there – Petal's (13) the same. And River (six), well, if there's music playing and he can dance while he helps you, he's there!”