COOKING UP A YULETIDE FEAST
REVEALS HOW HE CREATES MAGIC FOR HIS FAMILY ON THE BIG DAY
Jamie Oliver and his family often help us get into the festive spirit, inviting us into their home as the celebrity chef shares recipes in preparation for Christmas. But what exactly do the Oliver household’s celebrations look like? Here, the father of five reveals what brings his family together – and why there’s a risk it could all end in tears.
“Christmas is my favourite, because it’s the perfect time to get friends and family around the table and treat them to a beautiful dinner,” he says in this exclusive interview with hello!. “Plus it’s the time when most people who usually don’t cook, do!”
As the countdown to Christmas begins, Jamie gives credit to his wife Jools for an unusual custom that the family have developed over the years.
“Our family tradition of buying a Christmas tree is a little bizarre,” he says. “We go to the same vendor every year in our home town in Essex and Jools talks to the trees – she takes pity on the ones that aren’t pretty, the ones no one wants.
“So every year we come home with the most unusual-looking tree, but Jools will decorate it until it looks incredible.”
ALL HANDS ON DECK
Although Jools selects their tree, decorating the house is a family effort – and there are plenty of helping hands. The couple, who were teenage sweethearts, have been married since 2000 and share five children: Poppy Honey, 21, Daisy Boo, 20, Petal Blossom, 14, Buddy Bear, 13, and seven-year-old River Rocket.
However, as in any other family, tensions can rise. “At our house, Christmas looks like everyone else’s,” Jamie says. “While decorating, it’s usually my job to do the lights, and I never really get them to work.
“We get into arguments and someone always starts crying, but in the end we collectively light the lights and everyone is happy. Then we take a picture for Instagram and people write: ‘Gosh, what a lovely, happy family,’” he says with a laugh.
Jamie adds: “In our house, we really go to town with Christmas trees. We end up with about five every year – two or three in the living room and a few in the rooms of the kids who still live at home.”
The 48-year-old has always enjoyed sharing his favourite recipes for the special day. Searches for his “easy” recipes – from Christmas pudding to roast potatoes and gravy – multiply at this time of the year. And rather tha
