Jon Watts on turning prison kitchen lessons into bestselling cookbooks and comfort food

Samuel Goldsmith chats with food writer Jon Watts about second chances, speedy cooking, and why roast potatoes make or break Sunday lunch. Jon traces his journey from a prison kitchen and the DofE to Jamie’s Italian, a viral chocolate-orange cheesecake, and a hit “Speedy” cookbook series. Expect risotto tips (hello, “three cracks”), fennel-spiked sausage ragù, testing recipes with followers, and the joy of feeding friends - plus a shock confession: he can’t stand mash.

Jon Watts is a professional chef, recipe creator, and social media influencer. After serving six and a half years in a young offenders’ institute, he chose a new path through cooking, becoming the first in custody to achieve all three Duke of Edinburgh awards. After release, he worked at a Jamie Oliver restaurant before going independent. Now nationally recognised through social media and TV, Jon inspires audiences from businesses to at-risk youth with his powerful story.

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