In this latest episode of Lessons In Dyslexic Thinking, Made By Dyslexia founder Kate Griggs interviews Jamie Oliver, the dyslexic chef, broadcaster and author who is Britain’s best-selling non-fiction writer.
Ahead of his upcoming Channel 4 documentary about dyslexia, Jamie speaks candidly about how it has shaped his life and supercharged his career. He reveals that cooking ‘saved him’ and shares why his cookbooks are written in a secret ‘dyslexic code’. Reflecting on his own experiences and work training disadvantaged kids to become top chefs, he calls for educational reform to help young dyslexics at school – fixing the system, not the kids.
Kate and Jamie dive into the moments when his Dyslexic Thinking provided the mental agility needed to succeed in campaigning and cooking, lifting the lid on the split-second decisions behind some of his most popular series during the credit crunch and the pandemic.
At the start of their conversation, Jamie and Kate discuss how his dyslexia produces a keen sense of injustice and inspires game-changing activism. Jamie credits his dyslexic journey with how he has always intuitively spotted causes which matter to him, and immersed himself deeply in them.
“I think there’s definitely benefit to Dyslexic Thinking, because it becomes more galactic and three-dimensional. Injecting feeling, thought and culture into things – we’re often good at the hard things like that, making people feel real culture instead of fake culture”
Jamie’s Dyslexic Thinking has been pivotal when it comes to how he produces his programmes and cookbooks, helping him to see what readers and viewers want from recipes. From the way he lays out pages to how he makes cooking interesting, relatable, and ‘sexy’ to diverse audiences, his editing produces what he calls a ‘dyslexic code’, allowing him to create accessible recipes.
Jamie describes how his dyslexia first led him into the kitchen. Speaking about his own school days, he sees cooking as his salvation. First working in his parents’ pub at the weekend from the age of 10, in what was essentially a ‘regimental, French-style kitchen’, he savoured the creative outlet he found in cooking. He feels this provided a contrast to his academic struggles at school.
“Cooking definitely…saved me is a big word, but it really did”
“I think there is a tradition of dyslexics feeling worthless and a bit beaten by the system, so they find pleasure in things that give them pleasure, and that’s making things. And so you’ll probably see a pattern of arts, music, creative industries”
He reveals to Kate that his dad, who he described as an early pioneer of gastropubs, is “definitely dyslexic” and struggled at school, but was confident that Jamie would be okay owing to his culinary skills.
“My dad’s definitely dyslexic, and he even probably had a worse time at school than me. I know dad wasn’t worried because he knew I could cook, so in his language of living and life and success, he knew I had that”
Jamie shares the sense of responsibility that can come from championing causes, and even the pressure he feels around his upcoming documentary. Yet he sees being a dyslexic role model as an honour and a golden opportunity to offer hope to dyslexic children struggling in the current education system. It is also a platform for change, and Jamie calls on the government to use the AI revolution to change education, for all children.
“I so believe in hope, and I think for the bashed and broken-hearted dyslexic and neurodiverse kids that have had their self worth eroded, stamped with problem child and not quite understood. Maybe a tiny bit of training might have helped a totally different pathway for that kid. And it’s really holding the country back.”
Jamie is calling on the Government to implement early screening for dyslexia and for all teachers to be trained to spot and support it.
Made By Dyslexia supports Jamie’s call that every child should be screened for dyslexia and every teacher trained to support dyslexic learners. With the right training teachers can support dyslexic learners with both their challenges and their valuable Dyslexic Thinking skills.
Lessons In Dyslexic Thinking are conversations with the world’s most inspiring dyslexics where we find out what Dyslexic Thinking is and how each of us can employ it to change the world. This leading podcast is in the top 1% of podcasts globally. It demonstrates the range of brilliant people from across the globe who have helped to make a difference with their Dyslexic Thinking skills.
Parents and grandparents can find lots of resources on how to spot and empower dyslexia on the Made By Dyslexia website. The charity has also developed free training for parents and teachers on Empowering Dyslexic Thinking, hosted by the Open University.
