Funnily enough, I am neither attached nor unattached to liking or disliking Jamie Oliver, as I am with most other individuals. I try to judge them on the efforts and actions they undertake, and the meanings and intentions behind them. Now, from this perspective, Jamie is a man of action and directness whom I respect and find extremely watchable. He is a doer, and because of that, I am compelled to watch him on television. He achieves, and is prepared to put in the work, and say the things required (even if some find them unpalatable) to see things through. If some are not prepared for this, then that is their loss. Quite how some are 'grossly offended' by the program is beyond me. I was fascinated by both the program and Jamie himself.

In response to another viewer, I have never watched in pain, rather, I have watched in exasperation at the bad attitudes of some of the students. I have been even more exasperated at some of the reviews of the show, namely those coming from 'droll' critics who suspect Jamie’s motives. To me, motives are irrelevant. If Jamie wishes to make a TV program to a) make money and b) increase his public profile, then that is fine by me, as long as it is interesting and I learn something from the process. Both of these latter conditions have been fulfilled. He did not need to take on 15 kids and train them from scratch in a project that presented the opportunity to damage his bank balance and his reputation. He could have produced a solo or more personalised project, similar to past ventures. Lest not we forget that full-time professional chefs/kitchen-staff could have been hired to staff the restaurant’s kitchen and the matter sealed and forgotten as another triviality. The show, and the opportunities presented to the students we see now would never have come to pass. Jamie's actions speak louder than words, and he seems to have put a lot more on the line than he has retained (or ever will) in return from some of the students, some of whom, if I were in Jamie's position, would have seen the door a long time ago. I will not get personal, but I am sure some recorded incidents will not do their standing any good.

I get the sense that some viewers (and students) do not understand the realities of the modern, high pressure, male-dominated kitchen environments. I also get the impression that some don't quite understand that you don't get anything for free in this world. I read a review that stated that the 'kids' were so thrilled to get this chance. However, what struck me is that it seemed as if they thought they had already won -- many did not understand that the hard work had just begun! Failure, or 'messing', is simply not tolerated in a normal professional kitchen. Jamie is a man of ambition; he always seems to seek the best (be it the best meat, the most direct way of cooking, the best way to chop and so on). These are the values of most top chefs. Therefore, he is training them to operate amongst the best and the have value systems that also seek the best. I see nothing wrong with the assessment scheme - assessment is central to awareness of one's progress. If a technique such as asking students to describe eating tempura oyster and expecting adjectives "and even superlatives" (such as sweet, sour, and so on) is 'unfair', then I suspect the English language needs to be learned more effectively by the students. The "real chef's world" is unforgiving - if you do not learn quickly, you will be out; if you do learn quickly and eagerly, and are happy to receive criticism and learn from it (a trait that is lacking in some students) then you will succeed greatly.

These 'kids' (there are quite a few of older age, but who still act in a younger manner it seems) have been given a great opportunity, and disappointingly, it seems that some have decided not to take Jamie up on this. I am also dismayed at the lack of respect Jamie has been shown at times under recording. If you are presented with an opportunity, and are asked to jump though hoops, then you bloody well jump through hoops, never mind if you don't like raw-fish for or you are 'bored'! At the end of one show, it seems as though a student tells Jamie to shut-up. I am unclear if this is the product of a direct conversation or some clever editing to lure viewers in for next week’s show. If it is the former, then, quite frankly, this is ridiculous behaviour. Employees, be they everyday 9-5ers or TV-chef students should never tell the ‘boss-man’ to shut-up. He is the man who put this individual where they are! Interesting questions are raised on whether some individuals care more about the job/opportunity presented or their ego. To some who have criticised Jamie for being insensitive, I am again disappointed. For an individual who seems to be giving 110% to the multiple projects in his life, incurring pressure from many angles simultaneously, I am dismayed at the crap he has to put up with from people inside, around and on the periphery of the course. People need to increase their ability to gain perspective, the ability to see what someone else's tasks, preoccupations and values are, and not just their own.

To the reviewer who felt "slightly embarrassed for Jamie Oliver", well, I felt this way to at points, but for different reasons. First, because this guys is putting-out big time for these people, and in return, at points, some of them are quite frankly rude, cheeky and take the p***. To those who were disappointed by the 'offensive' swearing I am again dismayed. Get real. Have you ever worked in a high pressure environment? Have you ever had a manager under pressure from his manager, from the bank, his wife et al? On a more general level, do you know anyone from the city? To say Jamie did not come across well, is quite frankly nonsense. To me, he has come-across as more real and hardworking than ever. You think he got where he is by chance? Not at all. This guy works bloody hard, and I'm sure if he didn't, his teachers had a few choice words to offer him. If the 15 chefs attempt to take on his values of hard work and 110% effort they would go a long way.

On the viewer who said "Jamie could have broken with tradition and considered the media as a communication tool", well, I feel that in fact Jamie is VERY aware of the media as a communication tool! Arguably, one of his primary aims (one which he has employed in the past) is to USE the media as a communications tool. Again, this is something I have no problem with.

It is extremely interesting to see Jamie in this mode. It is sometimes exasperating, and overall compelling viewing. I know many who would kill for this opportunity, and who are similarly dismayed by the many so-called 'wasters' on the inside and 'doubters' on the outside. Best of luck to Jamie and the on-the-ball students!