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Jamie Oliver In conversation with Melissa Leong

11 November 2023

In the Concert Hall

Talks & Ideas

Chef and child health campaigner Jamie Oliver is back in Sydney for an Australian exclusive conversation at the Sydney Opera House. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Jamie’s story – from the early Naked Chef days to how he continues to inspire millions to cook fresh and delicious food from scratch, and his pledge to keep fighting for kids’ health.

Inspiring the next generation

Jamie Oliver is back in Sydney for an Australian exclusive conversation in the Concert Hall for one day only. His mission? To inspire the next generation to enjoy cooking fresh, delicious food from scratch. Don't miss this opportunity to hear Jamie in a conversation that covers the breadth of his career – from the famous moment of discovery at London’s River Café to today, 24 years and 50 million books later, as he returns to his “home away from home”, Australia. Jamie will captivate audiences with insights into his triumphs and challenges, the meaning of family and being a dad, and his pledge to create a happier, healthier world by inspiring the love of cooking in children.

Sydney Opera House presents

 

Every time I visit Australia it feels like a big old hug. It’s a real home away from home for me and I’m so excited to be back.

Jamie Oliver
Jamie Oliver

Jamie Oliver is a global phenomenon in food and campaigning. During a 24-year television and publishing career he has sold nearly 50 million books worldwide, and his TV series are watched by millions of people around the globe. As a result, Jamie has inspired a generation to enjoy cooking fresh, delicious food from scratch, publishing 26 best-selling cookery books, all with accompanying TV shows. He’s inspiring young people to love food and appreciate nature with his new children’s book, Billy & The Giant Adventure.

His portfolio of successful restaurants now spans 22 countries around the world across 70+ restaurants, and his growing range of quality food and kitchen products features everything from pans and utensils to pasta, ready-to-eat grains, curry pastes, and much more.

Jamie started cooking at his parents’ pub, The Cricketers, in Clavering, Essex, at the tender age of eight. After leaving school he began a career as a chef that took him to the celebrated River Café, where he was famously spotted by a television producer and the Naked Chef was born.

Through his campaign team, and working alongside youth movement BiteBack 2030, Jamie is on a mission to inspire and enable more people to experience the joys and benefits of cooking and enjoying nutritious, sustainable and balanced meals. This desire to make food fairer for all sits at the heart of Jamie’s company-wide goal of creating a happier, healthier world through the joy of food.

Melissa Leong Moderator

Few in Australia can boast the culinary credentials of Melissa Leong. An accomplished food and travel writer, food media consultant, radio broadcaster, television presenter, MC and cookbook editor, this first-generation Singaporean Australian isn't afraid to eat anything at least once.

Living proof that not being sure what you want to be when you grow up can make for a life less boring, Melissa’s instinct is always to say yes to the unexpected. Her professional background has spanned advertising, food media consulting, PR, journalism and cookbook publishing, working with big name culinary personalities including Marco Pierre White, Adriano Zumbo, Colin Fassnidge and Dan Hong. From travelling solo to far flung places in the world, to living on an abattoir in rural Tasmania just to better understand the trials and tribulations of primary food industry, she has written her own rule book.

Melissa began her television career with Netflix’s The Chef’s Line in 2016. Her culinary prowess and star power was recognised and she landed the coveted role as Host and Judge on MasterChef Australia, Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef Junior in 2020. As the first ever female judge, Melissa quickly became a fan favorite known for her charm, wit and eloquence. She was nominated for the prestigious Gold Logie in 2022 for the Most Popular Personality On Australian Television. In addition to continuing with MasterChef Australia, as part of Channel 10’s 2022 pilot showcase, Melissa hosted a new show called Dinner Guest alongside Narelda Jacobs and Susan Carland – a female led talk show that strives to give diverse women a voice by sharing their own experiences as women of color. In 2023 Melissa will also co-host and judge MasterChef: Dessert Masters alongside internationally renowned French pastry chef Amaury Guichon.

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