Jamie Oliver is a chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, and TV host. In the late 90s, he was a young restaurant cook who happened into his own show "The Naked Chef" where he cooked to his credo: "It's got to be simple. It's got to be tasty. It's got to be fun". As his career evolved, Jamie worked tirelessly to improve the nutritional quality of school foods in the UK and beyond, a mission that initially met mixed responses from the press and the public, but delivered extremely impactful success stories and lasting results. He has won several awards including a Primetime Emmy Award for his show Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution as well as a Ted Prize for his efforts to fight diet-related diseases. He also started the Jamie Oliver Foundation to improve the lives of people all over the world through food education. Jamie currently writes for publications in the UK and around the world, including his own Jamie Magazine. He also has the YouTube channels Jamie Oliver’s Food Tube and Drinks Tube, plus five award-winning apps, and has published eighteen bestselling cookbooks. Tune in to hear Jamie's story in his own words.

Photo courtesy of David Loftus.

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Frances Moore Lappé is an iconic activist thinker on society and democracy: which she explores through the universal lens of food. Her first book Diet for a Small Planet, published in 1971, has since sold over 3 million copies and helped shift the narrative of hunger. In 2008, it was heralded as one of “75 Books by Women Whose Words Have Changed the World” by the Women’s National Book Association.That same year the James Beard Foundation honored Frances as “Humanitarian of the Year,” and Gourmet Magazine listed her among 25 people whose work has changed the way America eats. Frances is author and co-author to 17 other books, and has co-founded three organizations: Food First, the Center for Living Democracy, and the Small Planet Fund. The latter was launched with her daughter, Anne Lappé, who also co-wrote the book Hope’s Edge: The Next Diet for a Small Planet. Hear Frances tell her story on this special edition of Evolutionaries.

David Kinch is a chef ahead of our time. Long before the farm-to-table trend, David found inspiration in the seasons, the land, and the ingredients at hand. Coming into his own under the tutelage of great chefs–from New Orleans to New York, France to Japan– and finally settling in California, David’s culinary prowess and vision has earned him multiple James Beard awards. In 2016, Manresa, his first restaurant, received three stars from the Michelin guide. His second restaurant Bywater, also located in the Silicon Valley, opened its doors this year.

Peter Kaminksy wears many hats – writer, outdoorsman, journalist, cookbook author, television producer, the list goes on and on. He’s worked with the likes of Francis Mallmann and Daniel Boulud on cookbooks. He was a managing editor at National Lampoon. He created both the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize and the Library of Congress Greshwin Prize for popular song. Hear his story on this special edition of Evolutionaries.

Brooklyn-born writer Mimi Sheridan is one of the most acclaimed critics food has ever seen. Before becoming the first female restaurant critic at the New York Times in 1976, she wrote for New York Magazine. Four decades later, she has written for almost every food publication that matters and authored 17 books, the most recent being 1,000 Foods To Eat Before You Die: A Food Lover’s Life List. Mimi’s influence on critical food writing has been unparalleled.

Michael Pollan has been celebrated, critiqued and worshiped. He’s a spirit guide for many in the world of food, he’s won numerous awards, and sparked lively debates with his writing. In 2010 he was named one of the worlds 100 most influential people by TIME magazine. He’s the author of six books: Second Nature, A Place of My Own, The Botany of Desire (which also aired as a two hour documentary on PBS), The Omnivore’s Dilemma, In Defense of Food and Cooked. His books are national best sellers that helped guide the national discourse on food and agriculture. The Long Island native is a professor of journalism at the UC Berkley Graduate School of Journalism. Pollan was the Executive Editor of Harpers magazine and is currently a contributing writer to New York magazine and The New York Times magazine. Tune in as he shares his story in his words on Evolutionaries!

In a world filled with food writers who take themselves far too seriously, Ruth Reichl continues to be a breath of fresh air. Her creative take on storytelling and restaurant reviews turned food writing upside down. She’s authored a trilogy of best-selling memoirs, a novel and a cookbook. She was the last editor in chief of the now defunct Gourmet magazine. Before that she was the restaurant critic of both The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, where she was also named food editor. As co-owner of The Swallow Restaurant from 1974 to 1977, she played a part in the culinary revolution that took place in Berkeley, California. In the years that followed, she served as restaurant critic for New West and California magazines. Hear Ruth tell her story in this special “Evolutionaries” radio documentary.

Mary Sue Milliken is often credited with helping define Los Angeles’s culinary landscape. Along with her partner Susan Feniger, she opened City Restaurant, Border Grill and Ciudad – all critically acclaimed restaurants in the Los Angeles area. She’s published five cookbooks is seasoned TV personality. Mary Sue was a food star before there were many. She’s never been afraid to take risks and her journey began in St. Claire, Michigan. Join us on Evolutionaries and hear Mary Sue’s story. This program was brought to you by Edwards VA Ham

Running time: 25 Minutes

Jason Hinds of Neal’s Yard Dairy, Borough Cheese Company and Essex St. Cheese Co. is a pioneer in the artisanal cheese movement. He helped develop Neal’s Yard Dairy into one of the most significant food retailers of our time. He started the Borough Cheese Company, which specifically focuses on selling Comté. He’s also co-founder of Essex St. Cheese Co., a cheese importer and wholesaler that focuses on a limited number of perfectly ripened classic cheeses, specially selected at the source. This is Jason Hinds’ story. This program was sponsored by Edwards VA Ham.

For more on Neal’s Yard Dairy visit http://nealsyarddairy.co.uk

Darina Allen is Ireland’s best-known chef and culinary ambassador. She’s the founder of Ballymaloe Cookery School, now the countries longest running cooking school and a globally- renowned institution that has hosted and taught some of the world’s greatest chefs (including Marcella Hazan, Alice Waters, and Madhur Jaffrey.) In addition, she hosted a cooking Television program Simply Delicious for nine seasons, which is credited with teaching generations of Irish how to cook and earned her comparisons to Julia Child; she has also written a column for the Irish Examiner since 1998. Allen is a champion of locally grown, organic produce, and is responsible for starting Ireland’s first farmer’s market. Against all odds – Darina was able to follow her food dreams. This was brought to you by Heritage Foods USA.

Lidia Bastianich has two passions – family and food – and she’s managed to create an culinary empire using both. Lidia is the chef/owner of four acclaimed New York City restaurants — Felidia, Becco, Esca and Del Posto, as well as Lidia’s in Pittsburgh and Kansas City. Her cookbooks include Lidia Cooks From the Heart of Italy and Lidia’s Italy – both companion books to her Emmy-nominated television series, Lidia’s Italy, Lidia’s Family Table, Lidia’s Italian- American Kitchen, Lidia’s Italian Table and La Cucina di Lidia. Lidia came to the United States from Istria — when she was 12 years old with her parents and her brother Franco. She had wanted to become a doctor – but fate had other plans for her. This program has been sponsored by Bonnie Plants.