This week, with great anticipation, Wickedfood Cooking School received the review copy of Jamie Oliver's latest book, Jamie's 30 Minute Meals. As with many people, at the first brief skim, we were not overly impressed.  Where were the neat little categories usually associated with the cookbook.  On closer inspection however Jamie's 30 Minute Meals certainly once again pushes the boundaries of cookbooks as did Jamies Ministry of Food. It is a clearly thought out book, offering 50 brand new complete meal ideas. Jamie Oliver proves that, by mastering a few tricks and being organized and focused in the kitchen, it is absolutely possible, and easy, to get a complete meal on the table in the same amount of time you’d normally spend making one dish (although not always in 30 minutes).

Recipes in Jamie's 30 Minute Meals are varied and seasonal. They include main course recipes with side dishes as well as puddings and drinks, and are all meals you’ll be proud to serve your family and friends. Jamie has written the recipes in a way that will help you make the most of every single minute in the kitchen.

Jamie's 30 Minute Meals is as practical as it is beautiful, showing that with a bit of preparation, the right equipment and some organization, hearty, delicious, quick meals are possible.

The book's layout has a one page photo of the finished meal, one of the work in progress and then, on one rather crowded page, the ingredients and the method – and because it's for the whole meal the method skips back and forth between dishes, so it all looks very busy.

Once you get to grips with the Jamie's 30 Minute Meals, it'll give you endless inspirational ideas for quick and easy meals.  Wickedfood Cooking School will certainly be using the book as a basis for some exciting new Jamie Oliver Cooking Classes this year.

For a delicious  recipe from the book, click here.

Interested in buying this book? visit – Red Pepper Books – The South African online bookshop, they are able to offer you great prices on any book you are looking for.

Wickedfood Cooking School runs cooking classes throughout the year at its purpose-built Johannesburg cooking studio. Cookery classes are run in the mornings and evenings 7 days a week (subject to a minimum of 12 people). The venue is also popular for corporate events and private functions – teambuilding cooking classes, birthdays, kitchen teas, and dinner parties with a difference.

Our cooking lessons are hands-on, where every person gets to participate in the preparation of the dishes. They are also a lot of fun where you not only learn new skills, but get to meet people with similar interests. For corporate groups and team building cooking classes these events are a novel way of creating staff interaction or entertaining clients.