Aardman Animations is hoping it has the perfect recipe for a new animated series it’s producing with celeb chef Jamie Oliver’s production company. The Bristol, UK-based animation house has announced a deal with Fresh One Productions to develop Little J, a 52 x 11-minute series starring Jamie Oliver’s fictional 10-year-old self as he makes his way to chefdom.

The series targets seven- to 11-year-olds and revolves around Oliver and the antics of a slightly crazy food crew, including a depressed ham, a mad scientist called Eggs Benedict and his band The Vulgar Vegetables.

Aardman’s Tom Parkinson is directing the 2-D series, while Helen Brunsdon takes on the role of producer. For his part, Oliver gets an executive producer credit. Look for the project to be pitched next month at Cartoon Forum.