🚨 ‘Drop Me Here, Dad!’ Jamie Oliver admits kids won’t let him near school gates — even after fighting to change UK lunches

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has made a surprisingly relatable confession about family life, revealing that his children are sometimes “embarrassed to be seen” with him — to the point where he drops them off well away from the school gates.

The restaurateur and campaigner, who is married to Jools Oliver and shares five children with her — Poppy, Daisy, Petal, Buddy and River — admitted that fame offers little protection from teenage cringe.

Speaking candidly, Jamie joked that embarrassing your kids is simply part of the job description for parents. Despite being one of Britain’s most recognisable chefs, he said he still gets instructed to stop the car around 200 metres from the school because his presence is “mortifying”.

The admission came as Jamie launched the fourth annual Good School Food Awards, which celebrate the often-unsung school chefs working to provide nutritious, high-quality meals for pupils across the UK.

He explained that the awards act as a yearly reminder of how vital good food is to children’s wellbeing, from breakfast clubs through to after-school care. Jamie said these school kitchens are creating spaces where children feel looked after, energised and ready to learn — and insisted great school food isn’t a luxury, but a necessity.

Jamie added that he feels proud the awards shine a spotlight on everyday heroes who are quietly transforming school communities, boosting dinner uptake and even increasing demand for school places.

The initiative comes amid wider changes to food policy, following the government’s announcement that more than half a million additional children will be eligible for free school meals from September 2026. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson previously described the move as part of a moral mission to tackle child poverty and break the link between background and success.

Away from school dinners, Jamie has also been vocal about protecting children’s health in other areas. He recently welcomed the government’s decision to ban the sale of energy drinks to children, saying the brightly marketed products are designed to lure young people in while posing real health risks.

While Jamie continues to push for systemic change, at home he remains, by his own admission, just another dad trying — and sometimes failing — not to embarrass his kids.