Jon Watts

Jon Watts first learned to cook in prison where he was admitted, aged 18, for six and a half years. Jon says: As the heavy steel door slammed behind me for the first time, I realised I had to make serious changes if I wanted to have any chance of success in my life. The most likely scenario that was facing me was that I would fall into the vicious cycle of reoffending. I was determined from day one that I would not add to the statistics. He set about changing his story and, with cooking as his...See more

Jon Watts first learned to cook in prison where he was admitted, aged 18, for six and a half years. Jon says: As the heavy steel door slammed behind me for the first time, I realised I had to make serious changes if I wanted to have any chance of success in my life. The most likely scenario that was facing me was that I would fall into the vicious cycle of reoffending. I was determined from day one that I would not add to the statistics. He set about changing his story and, with cooking as his specialism, became the first person in custody to complete the bronze, silver and gold. He went on to work for Jamie Oliver for five years before branching out on his own to share his story and recipes online @Jonwatts88. His ambition has seen him amass an audience of over one million and cook live on prime time tv. Jon is passionate about supporting young people to make good choices and does motivational speaking and runs an apprenticeship scheme with young offenders. See less