In her cosy terraced house in southwest London, Tsai Wharton, looking glam in a black pencil skirt and sparkly make-up, is throwing a soirée with a difference. The manhattans are flowing and friends from university are chatting with her work-mates from the hospitality industry.
So far, so routinely Fulham. But these partygoers are here for more than simply cocktails and chat. What brings them together, on this drizzly Wednesday night, is a shared love of hearth and home, cooking and entertaining. And for Jamie Oliver, MBE. They’re attending a Jamie at Home party.
Oliver’s latest venture is a collection of affordable kitchenware and garden kit, to be sold through a nationwide network of hostesses to their social circle. Having revolutionised school dinners, highlighted the plight of the factory hen and persuaded northern fishwives to lay off the lard, the nation’s favourite chef is recreating the Tupperware party for the 21st century.
His instinct is unerring. What we want, in these uncertain times, is to feel happy, secure and nurtured in our own homes. We want to be part of a community, to grow our own veg and cook healthy meals for our families. In short, we want to live like Jamie. (Not that chap who chefs for Obama, but TV Jamie, the nice bloke with the raised beds and kickass wood oven.)
Screenshot from Jamie At Home