Don't give up and I'd say don't get frustrated. I think for too many young people, the way society is maybe doesn't fit them. He's worked for Jamie Oliver's restaurants, earned a temporary catering contract for the X-Factor and even cooked for Phillip Schofield and Rochelle Humes on ITV's This Morning - 10 years to the day after he left jail.

Recipes - Chef Jon Watts - inspiring you to cook

Fast forward three-and-a-bit years and he became the first person in custody to get their bronze, silver and gold award. He added: "I practised a lot. I went there the day before and I did live rehearsals and the producers were firing questions at me left, right and centre as well so I was almost used to it. In a large mixing bowl add the biscuit spread, the eggs and the baking powder. Use a wooden spoon to mix it all together until well combined. Be careful not to over beat it. But it was in prison that his life changed and he was given a second chance. He came across the Duke of Edinburgh Award and jumped at the chance to learn new skills and change his fortunes. He hopes his inspiring journey shows that if you apply yourself correctly and demonstrate a willingness to turn things around then great things can happen.Remarkably, Jon had previously envisioned this monumental feat when creating his prized vision board around seven or eight years ago. In a clean bowl, melt the biscuit spread in the same way until it is runny, then drizzle all over the top to give a nice pattern. And a year later he was awarded the temporary catering contract for the X Factor house while also being chosen to feature in two adverts for Quorn. During the last year of his sentence he went out to work for one of Jamie Oliver's restaurants and eventually earned employment in Reading for when he was released. I was practising the night before, I was making the dish at home and pretending I was talking so I wasn't going unprepared, but I've also done it in my head for the last seven, eight years. It didn't stop me being very, very nervous."

Jon Watts Chicken Fricassée - Chef Jon Watts

A pinch yourself moment if there ever was one, and the appearance came 10 years to the day from his prison release. The Covid-19 pandemic threw up a whole load of challenges for Jon but he's used the time to grow his presence on social media - and he even managed to bag some regular private clients too. This is something that I always knew would happen," he added, "but I thought it would be like I'll release a book and I'll be able to get myself on there. I found myself hanging around with people that were involved in crime and all sorts of other nonsense and it sort of gave me a sense of belonging and a kind of purpose.

Yummy, yummy. A super recipe with aĺ my favourite ingredients,! What’s not to like. I can’t wait to try it, but missing a couple of ingredients at the moment, so shopping tomorrow is a must. The cost will always depend on a few different factors, for example how many people it’s for, what’s on the menu and the location. Each day we'll be sending you a selection of our top stories from across our county, as well as breaking news so you can be the first to know.

Chef Jon Watts - delicious recipes inspiring you to cook!

My debut cookbook ‘Watts Cooking’ was released in October 2023. In it you’ll find 100 delicious recipes using easily accessible ingredients. Chapters include Speedy Weeknight Dinners, Proper Comfort Food, Irresistible Sweet Treats, and Plenty of Pasta.

Long story short, 18 years old, ended up in prison with a six-and-a-half year sentence. At that point I'd very much thought that was my life over, that I was never going to achieve anything because that's what's built into you when you're going through school and stuff like that.