EPISODE SYNOPSIS It’s the meeting of the two Annas today as Barnett meets Jones in the new episode of The Filling podcast. Speaking from her newly renovated Hackney home, chef, food writer and stylist Anna Jones weaves her journey from an Economics degree to chef training and working at Jamie Oliver’s 15 restaurant, to writing her first published recipes and cookbooks incorporating her commitment to vegetarianism. A prolific recipe writer (as well as cookbook and ceramics collector) Anna Jones also takes us to working in Europe and the intimidation of cooking pasta for Italian chefs, and living in California where she professes a love for their democratic way of eating. We also get the ultimate egg mayonnaise sandwich recipe – but does she really prefer vegenaise? EPISODE NOTES 15:20 – 19:25) After obtaining an Economics degree and setting out in finance, Anna Jones realised she had a different life calling. Here she details what prompted the move into cooking and her first steps to a new career. 19:30 – 22:30) Anna Jones has some enlightening stories to tell from her time training and working at Jamie’s Oliver’s 15 restaurant. Here she recounts meeting some interesting diners including Prince Charles, Brad Pitt, and Bill Clinton. 34:50 – 36:40) While working with Jamie Oliver Anna Jones was offered a book deal. Here she explains how this provided an opportunity to explore branching out on her own. 36:50 – 39:40) At a time when the fashion for restaurants was ‘nose-to-tail’ dining, Anna Jones was exploring how to create more inventive vegetarian food - a scary time, she admits, for a new chef. 42:50 – 47:00) Sustainability, food waste, plastic reduction are all burning concerns, and here Anna Jones talks through her One Change campaign to encouraging people to make regular small changes to their shopping and cooking habits. 57:00 – 59:00) Spending her formative years in California has instilled in Anna Jones a love for the food there and a ‘democratic’ way of eating. Here she explains how plant-based menus are on par with meat and fish dishes. TOP QUOTES “It’s taken me 40 years to realise that having way less stuff is way less stressful.” Anna Jones “If you’re the future king you can ask for whatever you want.” Anna Jones “Jamie Oliver is the busiest man I’ve ever known.” Anna Jones “Putting vegetables at the centre of your diet is the biggest thing you can do for the planet, and it’s the most joyous decision I made.” Anna Jones “My brother was a vegan when the only thing you could get was a Nando’s bean burger.” Anna Jones “My brother says I only eat food so I can put condiments on it.” Anna Jones “Focaccia, butter, and mayonnaise – triple oil threat.” Anna Barnett RESOURCES www.annajones.co.uk www.carolinepopham.com www.saltfatacidheat.com www.violetcakes.com www.sonsanddaughterslondon.com www.followyourheart.com ABOUT THE GUEST Anna Jones is a cook, writer, the voice of modern vegetarian cooking and the author of the bestselling A Modern Way to Eat, A Modern Way to Cook, The Modern Cook’s Year, and most recently, One. Her books are sold in ten countries and have been translated into five languages. The Modern Cook’s Year won the coveted Observer Food Monthly Best New Cookbook Award and The Guild of Food Writers Cookery Book Award. Her previous books have been nominated for the James Beard, Fortnum & Mason and André Simon awards. Anna believes that vegetables should be put at the centre of every table, and is led by the joy of food and its ability to affect change in our daily lives. She lives in Hackney, East London, with her husband and young son. Instagram:...