Jamie Oliver's next project will help cash-strapped families

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has a new project in the pipeline.Photo / File

TV chef Jamie Oliver is turning his attention to helping families cope with the financial squeeze.

His next project is a book and TV show later this year, designed to make meals which cost less and waste little.

Campaigner and restaurant owner Oliver has had huge sales successes with his most recent books, regularly topping best-seller lists.

He has been at No.1 in the lucrative Christmas book chart for the past three years with Jamie's 30 Minute Meals, Jamie's Great Britain and Jamie's 15 Minute Meals.

His next book, Save With Jamie: Shop Smart, Cook Clever, Waste Less, is described by publisher Michael Joseph as "a bible for all those who want to affordably cook tasty, nutritious, inspiring meals".

"This year I've got the message loud and clear that as everyone comes under bigger and bigger financial pressure, they want help to cook tasty, nutritious food on a budget," Oliver says.

"So this book was born completely out of public demand.

"Our biggest luxury is knowledge, whether times are hard or not. So get kitchen-smart and smash the recession."

The book is designed to help people make better choices by buying items more economically, as well as getting the most out of ingredients and saving time.

Tom Weldon, Jamie's long-time publisher and CEO of Penguin UK, said: "We are always thrilled to announce a new cookbook from Jamie but we are particularly excited about Save With Jamie. It seems like just the right time for such a book from one of the nation's most trusted chefs."

The book is due out in August 29.

- PAA