Jamie Oliver has revealed that his relationship with Marco Pierre White has never fully healed, with the 49-year-old chef admitting that Marco, now 63, still doesn’t like him.

Despite the ongoing tension, Jamie looked back on their feud, highlighting the impact Marco had on his early career while acknowledging the difficult moments they’ve had over the years.

A Hero Turned Adversary

In a candid interview on the Louis Theroux podcast, Jamie shared his thoughts on their past.

He recalled that Marco was once his hero, especially during Jamie’s early days as a chef when the industry felt “dark and boring.”

Marco’s energy and unique approach to cooking left a lasting impression on Jamie, who viewed him as a trailblazer in the culinary world.

However, their relationship soured quickly.

After a seemingly pleasant day spent filming with Marco, Jamie was blindsided when Marco publicly criticized him. “He just destroyed me,” Jamie said, reflecting on the harsh words that followed their encounter.

Despite the negative turn, Jamie still holds respect for Marco’s contributions to the industry and considers him a “game changer.”

The Feud Continues: Brexit and Beyond

The feud between the two chefs escalated again in 2019 when Marco criticized Jamie for blaming Brexit for the collapse of his restaurant empire.

Jamie’s restaurant chain, which included Italian eateries, Barbecoa, and Fifteen, went into administration, resulting in the loss of around 1,000 jobs.

Jamie had mentioned that Brexit’s uncertainty, combined with the growing trend of food delivery services like UberEats, contributed to his business’s struggles.

Marco, however, dismissed these claims, calling them “the lamest excuse” and accusing Jamie of being “delusional.”

He pointed out that many other restaurants had survived through the same circumstances, questioning why Jamie alone was blaming Brexit.

Marco also shared a negative experience dining at one of Jamie’s restaurants at Gatwick Airport, suggesting that poor service might have played a role in the decline of Jamie’s businesses.

A Decade of Tension

Their rivalry dates back over a decade, with both chefs taking jabs at each other in public.

In 2014, Jamie labeled Marco a “psychological bully,” though he clarified that he didn’t hate Marco.

Their differences also became public in 2010 when Marco criticized Jamie’s campaign to ban turkey twizzlers from schools, accusing Jamie of unfairly labeling them as unhealthy.

Marco further questioned Jamie’s culinary credentials, arguing that Jamie wasn’t a “real chef” because he had never won a Michelin star.

This critique added fuel to their ongoing tension, painting a picture of two chefs who once admired each other but couldn’t reconcile their differences.

Looking Back on It All

Despite their heated exchanges and Marco’s harsh words over the years, Jamie still looks back on their complicated history with some sense of respect.

He understands that not every relationship in the industry is meant to be perfect, and not every hero remains one.

Ultimately, Jamie acknowledges that the journey, including the challenges, has shaped him into the chef he is today.

In the end, Jamie’s reflections show that even in the world of fine dining, where admiration and competition often collide, there are lessons to be learned from the most unexpected of mentors—even if they don’t always see eye to eye.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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