Andi Oliver is a chef and television personality who is best known for being a judge on ’Great British Menu’. She was a judge on the professional cooking competition for several years before switching to the role of presenter in 2021. Oliver is also a singer and a radio broadcaster. Here are some fun and interesting Andi Oliver facts.
Andi Oliver Facts: Her Family and Personal Life
- She Was Born in London
Andi Oliver (whose full name is Andrea Oliver) was born in London in 1964. She is of Antiguan descent, as both her parents were born in Antigua. She had a brother, Sean, who died in 1990 of sickle cell anaemia when he was just 27.
2. Is Andi Oliver Married?
No, Andi Oliver is not married. However, she has been in a long-term relationship with Garfield Hacknett for more than 20 years, says The Local Buyers Club. The couple met when Oliver was working at The Globe speakeasy in Shoreditch.
3. Does Andi Oliver Have Children?
Andi Oliver has one daughter, Miquita Oliver, who was born on 25 April 1984. Her daughter is now also a television presenter who is known for radio and television work involving music.
4. Where Does Andi Oliver Live?
Andi Oliver lives in Clapton with her partner, Garfield Hacknett. In their free time, they enjoy visiting the local Millfields Park together, where they can hang out listening to music.
Facts About Andi Oliver: Her Music Career
5. She Was a Member of Rip Rig + Panic
Along with her brother Sean, Andi Oliver was a member of the post-punk group Rip Rig + Panic. One of the highlights of their musical career was performing in an episode of ‘The Young Ones’.
6. She Has Been in Two Other Groups
In addition to Rip Rig + Panic, Andi Oliver has been in two other groups. She started working with a band called Kalimba in 1993, and the band performed African-inspired music. Oliver was also in a group called Mighty Hog with her brother, Sean.
Andi Oliver’s Television and Radio Career
7. She Has Presented Many Television Series
Prior to becoming a judge and then presenter for ‘Great British Menu’, Andi Oliver presented several other shows and has been a judge for various cooking competitions. Some of the television shows in which she has appeared include ‘Beat the Chef’, ‘Food Glorious Food’, ‘The Big Eat’, and also ‘Christmas Kitchen with Matt Tebbutt.
8. She Became a Judge on ‘Great British Menu’ in 2017
Andi Oliver joined the judging panel on ‘Great British Menu’ in 2017 as a replacement for chef and restaurateur Prue Leith. The other judges are Matthew Fort and Oliver Peyton. In 2021, Andi Oliver was replaced as a judge by Rachel Khoo, and Oliver became the show’s presenter. As of 2022, Oliver continues to host the series, but there is a new judging panel including Tom Kerridge, Ed Gambon and Nisha Katona.
9. Oliver Was a Co-Host with Ice-T
A collaboration between Andi Oliver and Ice-T may seem like a strange combination, but they co-hosted the Channel 4 television show ‘Baadass TV’ together. The series was about youth fashion, culture, and music.
10. She Co-Presented a Cookery Show with Neneh Cherry
In 2007, Andi Oliver and Singer Neneh Cherry co-hosted a six-part cookery series on BBC2 called ‘Dish It Up.’ The duo later appeared together on Gordon Ramsay’s ‘The F-Word.’
11. She Has Worked as an Actress
Although she is better known for her links to food and music, Andi Oliver has also worked as an actress. One of her acting roles was taking part in a charity performance of The Vagina Monologues at The Royal Albert Hall. She was also in the BBC flagship drama ‘No.1 Ladies Detective Agency’, set in Botswana and aired in 2009.
12. Oliver is a Regular on ‘The Kitchen Cabinet’
‘The Kitchen Cabinet’ is a BBC Radio 4 series for which Andi Oliver is a regular panellist. Other regular contributors to the show are Angela Hartnett, Henry Dimbleby, and Jay Rayner.
Other Andi Oliver Facts
13. She Has an Eatery in Stoke Newington
In 2017, Andi Oliver opened ‘’Andi’s’ on Church Street in Stoke Newington in collaboration with Kelly Miles, with whom she shares a passion for good food. In the day, it is a café that serves brunches, and then it transforms at night into a cosy brasserie.
14. She Experienced Racism as a Child
Andi Oliver grew up in Bury St. Edmond, Sussex, during the 1960s and 1970s. Her family was the only black family in the area at that time, and she experienced racism growing up. Other kids often wanted to fight with her. However, she believes the experience taught her resilience and the importance of kindness.
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