Jamie Oliver’s new show is all about our favorite subject

This is exciting news – we just learned about a new TV competition brought to us by Jamie Oliver Productions and Plum Pictures that aims to “find the next big name in cookery“. The new program, which is open to anyone from home cooks to chefs, offers a book deal with Penguin Random House as the main prize.

Of course Jamie understands what it takes to publish a winning cookbook – the prolific author has published over 20 books and is the UK’s best-selling nonfiction author of all time. His book Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals ranks #6 in the EYB Library (based on number of members who list this book), and he has two other volumes in the top 20.

In the new seven-episode series, cookbook author hopefuls pitch their ideas and highlight their signature recipes. A panel of experts will winnow the applicants for additional rounds of recipe testing and to see how well home cooks can make their recipes. As EYB Members understand, there is an art to successful recipe and cookbook writing that goes beyond a mere list of ingredients and a few instructions. It will be fun to see what themes and ideas the contestants will bring to the table – literally as well as figuratively. The last person standing will receive a publishing deal with Michael Joseph at Penguin Random House.

In a statement, Jamie said: “I have been crafting cookbooks for over 20 years and I know the dedication, skill and intuition it takes to create recipes people want to buy and try at home. Breaking into publishing is incredibly difficult – an impossible dream for so many amazing cooks out there – so I am just so excited to get out there and discover incredible new talent, new perspectives and new approaches to cooking and food.”