Jo Pratt is a food stylist, writer, presenter and home economist. As former food writer for ELLE magazine, writing and featuring in her own food pages, Jo is now Food Editor for GLAMOUR magazine. Named as one of Waterstone's "Authors for the Future", her first book - The Nation's Favourite Food was published by BBC Books in 2003, and her second book In The Mood For Food hit the shelves in February 2007 to rave reviews. Jo's third book, In The Mood For Entertaining was published also by Penguin, summer 2009. Book number four is currently in the process of being written.
After graduating in July 1995 from Liverpool John Moores University with a BA honours degree in Home Economics, Jo's experience comes from working with big name chefs such as Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver and John Torode on everything from live cookery demonstrations to TV programmes such as Hell's Kitchen. However, her biggest fan (I'm sure he'll agree) must be Gary Rhodes. For over ten years Jo previously worked on practically all Gary's books and TV programmes (and they remain good friends!).
Recent projects have included being the face of Tenderstem Broccoli, working with Appletiser on their 'Beautiful Food' campaign, presenting video recipes and a workshop for Tilda Rice, writing a Trends report for Zyliss kitchen preparation tools, writing and presenting low-fat video recipes for Channel 4/Alli, spokesperson for National Chilli Week 2009, writing a series of recipes for So Good Fat-free Soya Milk for their 'Fat Free and Gorgeous' campaign, presenting a series of diet related segments for new-you.tv and judging for the Rosemount wines - 2008 BAFTA TV awards campaign.
Jo's experience has resulted in her recipes being featured in numerous places including Saturday Mail Weekend Magazine, Sainsbury's magazine, Olive magazine, BBC Good Food magazine and on the BBC Food, Good Food Channel and Good To Know websites. As well as being in print and online, Jo and her recipes have featured on many TV shows such as Saturday Kitchen, Great Food Live, Taste, Soapstar Superchef and Market Kitchen. She has become a regular guest chef on ITV's Daily Cooks Challenge.
She has a unique, creative way of home cooking, that comes from her ability to adapt what she's learnt working alongside Michelin starred chefs, combined with her fantastic styling ideas to create recipes that we can all enjoy everyday - whatever our ability. 'Real cooking for Real people' is what Jo's all about.
Jo grew up near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and now lives in London with her husband Phil (the best fed man in London - his words), and two young children Oliver and Rosa (Jo's harshest food critics).
Television Appearances
ITV Regular Guest Chef appearances, Daily Cooks Challenge, Summer 2008-2010
Good Food VT Presenter and studio guest Market Kitchen, 2007-2009
CHANNEL 5 Guest Chef appearances, Cooking the Books, Dec 2007/Jan 2008
BBC Three VT Presenter, The Restaurant: You're Fried, October 2007
ITV Guest Chef appearance, Soapstar Superchef, April 2007
ITV Regular Guest Chef appearances, Saturday Cooks, 2006/7
ITV Guest Chef appearance, Christmas Cooks, 2006 and 2007
BBC 1 Guest Chef appearances, Saturday Kitchen, 2006
Sky One Guest appearances, Taste, 2006
UKFood Guest appearances & VT presenter, Great Food Live, 2002-2006
UKFood Guest appearances, Food Uncut, 2006
Taste Food Producer/contributing presenter, Blind Heat, 2001
Anglia Guest appearances, Home Malone, 2001
ITV Contributor, Esther, 2000
CFN Guest Appearance, Thoroughly Modern British, 1999
Books
In the Mood for Entertaining Penguin, June 2009
In the Mood for Food Penguin, January 2007
The Nations Favourite Food BBC Books, 2003
Awards
The Nations Favourite Food - Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2003, Best Tied to a Food Television Programme
Waterstones "Author for the Future" 2008