Andrea Oliver (born May 1963)[1][2] is a British chef, television and radio broadcaster, and former singer. She is best known for her appearances on the BBC TV cooking show Great British Menu.[3][4] She is the author of the book The Pepperpot Diaries: Stories From My Caribbean Table, published in 2023.[2]
Early life
Oliver was born in London to Antiguan parents[5] and brought up in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, from the age of 10. Her father served in the Royal Air Force and was based at RAF Honington and her mother taught at a primary school in the town.[6]
For four years she ran a successful ephemeral restaurant, The Moveable Feast. After being creative director of The Birdcage pub on London's Colombia Road, she launched her own restaurant at The Jackdaw and Star, a renovated pub in the heart of Homerton. She opened her award-winning restaurant, Andi’s, in 2016, and in 2020 created her newest food project entitled Wadadli Kitchen.[8]
Other music projects
After 1983, Oliver became involved in Kalimba, an African-inspired band. In 1990 she joined forces with her brother, forming the Mighty Hog.[9]
In April 2007, she started presenting a six-part cookery show, Neneh and Andi Dish it Up, with her friend Neneh Cherry for BBC2.[9]
In Summer 2012, she was a guest judge on the TV show Food Glorious Food, presented by Carol Vorderman during the Harrogate Regional Heats, first broadcast on 27 February 2013.
