Sydney’s Paddington is fast becoming one of the city’s prime food districts courtesy of its growing array of bars, pubs, and restaurants. If you needed proof, you need only look at the growing number of international celebrity chefs who are loudly proclaiming their love for the suburb’s gourmet offerings. Among them is Jamie Oliver, who made an immediate stop to Paddington’s 10 William Street after his arrival in the Harbour City.

Speaking recently to delicious. ahead of the release of his new book Jamie Cooks Italy, Oliver agreed that Australia’s Italian offerings are up there with some of the best, aside from his own restaurant chain of course. “I went to 10 William which is a gem,” he says of the visit. “Trish is the new head chef and she is a phenomenon. Not only is she gorgeous and talented but she just took charge of the kitchen and is knocking out some incredible food, some great oils, and some great vinegars.”

View this post on Instagram

Thank you Trisha the new head chef of 10 William Street @tgreentree it was an inspired lunch to beat the jet lag and be close to old friends, wonderful flavours babe love and care and so sorry I missed your husband the legend that is @morgygalinha next time bro 💪Thank you to all the team they were ace xxxxx jamie. #grateful

A post shared by Jamie Oliver (@jamieoliver) on Feb 23, 2019 at 4:29am PST

But Oliver’s foray into Italian fare Down Under didn’t stop there. He’s also proven a fan of a more traditional meal thanks to a visit to family-run trattoria Beppi’s in Sydney CBD. “We went to the oldest Italian run restaurant in Sydney,” says Oliver of his recent trip. “What I liked about it is that is all the waiters are in their 60s and there are all those black and white pictures on the wall. It’s quite a classic and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that!”

Jamie Cooks Italy (Penguin, RRP 49.99) is available now from all good booksellers and online retailers