Jamie Oliver wished eldest son Buddy a happy birthday on Instagram on Friday with a dazzling tribute.
The TV chef, 47, marked the occasion with a slew of throwback snaps, declaring the teenager to be the ‘antidote to some challenging days’.
Jamie and wife Jools share five children Poppy, 21, Daisy, 20, Petal, 14, and River, six, as well as Buddy.
The family’s birthday tradition was seen in the photos, with the budding chef wearing a homemade birthday crown at different ages.
In the final photo, Buddy beamed in his school uniform as he wore the long green headgear decorated with his age.
Big day! Jamie Oliver took to Instagram to wish son Buddy a happy birthday on Friday with a gushing tribute
Sweet: The TV chef, 47, marked the occasion with a slew of throwback snaps, declaring the aspiring chef the ‘antidote to some challenging days’
Jamie captioned the post: ‘Happy 13th birthday Buddy! I now officially have a teenage boy! Woop woop Have a nice day’.
“Buds, you are a true legend, people always say that children need their parents, but I can honestly say that with you son, it has been the other way around.”
Adding: ‘You have been an extraordinary antidote to some of my most challenging days, such a kind, empathetic boy, thank you, happy birthday xxxxxxx daddy’
Buddy has become a huge hit online thanks to his Cooking Buddies series, which has racked up millions of hits.
And dad Jamie previously said the boy will ‘earn his profession’ when he becomes a chef and not live like a typical ‘Nepo Baby’ of his name.
If Buddy insists on following in his footsteps, he’ll have a good foundation, just like him, to make his rising star son a more well-rounded chef.
Jamie told MailOnline exclusively: ‘The only way to do it is to do it right.
‘The technical and practical side of cooking is one thing, but the really interesting and emotional part of cooking is serving people, immersing yourself in food producers and farmers – you can’t fake that.’
Throwback: In one fell swoop, a much younger Buddy showed off his love for baking
Tradition: The family’s birthday tradition was also reflected in the budding chef wearing a homemade birthday crown at different ages
Little One: In the last photo, Buddy beamed in his school uniform as he wore the tall green headgear decorated with his age
Following in Dad’s Footsteps: Buddy has become a huge hit online thanks to his Cooking Buddies series, which has racked up millions of hits
Happy Birthday: Jamie captioned the post: “Happy 13th Birthday Buddy! I now officially have a teenage boy! Woop woop Have a nice day
He continues: “When I was running Fifteen restaurant, most of our young people were unemployed, out of prison or out of trouble.
“We put these kids in front of great farmers and artisans, fishermen and producers, that’s what changes you and I would certainly do that with Buddy, if he wanted to go that route. He would certainly earn his profession.’
Jamie says Buddy has yet to reveal his future career ambitions and even claims his son is not tech-savvy, despite his success online, admitting that ‘he doesn’t even go on YouTube.’
But the father of five reveals that the boy’s cooking talents were developed through sheer practice.
He explains: ‘When he was ten, and you can find this online, he filleted a mackerel.
Bread: Jamie and wife Jools share five children Poppy, 21, Daisy, 20, Petal, 14, and River, six, as well as Buddy
‘It’s not because he’s a special kid, it’s because kids are brilliant and if they repeat things a few times they get good at it – whether it’s cricket, boxing or gymnastics, and he happened to have a mackerel in his hand , what a cheap fish that’s damn good for you, and he cooked it for his brother River, with 90 percent crispy skin, and you can’t produce that content.
“When I take it to market on Saturdays, 70-year-old men say, ‘I never really loved your dad, but I saw you make that video and came here and brought mackerel.’
‘He has that effect on people, especially the older generation. I’m really proud of him, he’s a good kid.’