Doing it for the kids
Nutrition News — By Emma Stirling on February 27, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Jamie Oliver
You either love him or are a little lukewarm to him. But personal opinions aside, you’ve got to hand it to him. When it comes to a passion for changing the health outcomes of kids today, Chef Jamie Oliver is your man. He’s been at it in the UK for 7 years with Jamie’s School Dinners and his global Fifteen restaurant project, including my home town Melbourne, that provides young people interested in hospitality a lucky head start. While some argue that he is a clever showman and a tad naive, he’s proven that he’s in it for the long haul and after far more than fame and publicity. At 34 years young and father to three girls with food inspired names, Jamie has plenty of energy left to take on his biggest challenge yet – kids born in the USA. But to quote him directly, “If America does it, other people will follow.” And you know what? In my opinion he is absolutely correct. And that’s why I will be closely following the success of Jamie’s Food Revolution.
Jamie’s Food Revolution
For those US friends and colleagues not yet familiar with Jamie, please make time to get to know him and check out the premier – Friday March 26, 9:00-10:00 p.m., ET on ABC:
In the series, Jamie heads to Huntington, West Virginia – which has been called the unhealthiest city in America — to start his new cooking initiative. He hopes to help get Huntington off that list and start a chain reaction of positive change across the country. Jamie says, “The time is right for people to rediscover the sense of pride, satisfaction and fun you can get from cooking for the people you love. There’s an incredible community in Huntington, and I want this experience to be a celebration of what we can achieve when people come together. I want to prove that turning around the epidemic of obesity and bad health doesn’t have to be boring or dull in the slightest. Wonderful stories will unfold in Huntington, and hopefully this will inspire the rest of the States.”
And the 2010 TED Award goes to….Jamie Oliver
But is this simply another reality-style TV show? No. Why? Because on February 11, 2010 Jamie was awarded the prestigious TED Prize which stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. TED is a non-profit community of some of the world’s most influential “thinkers and do-ers”, and previous TED Prize winners have included Bono, Bill Clinton and Dave Eggers. The prize is $100,000 to go towards current social projects as well as a “wish” – the TED community pledges to help make the wish come true.
In his wish, Jamie called for the foundation to inspire a nutrition revolution through communication, education, social networking and by challenging corporate America and the food industry to help transform the culture of junk food into a culture of healthy eating.
And this was Jamie’s wish:
“I wish for the TED community to create a movement to educate every child about food, inspire families to cook again and bring people together everywhere to fight obesity,” said Jamie. “My hope is that millions more people will learn, as so many have already, that it is a happier, healthier life that is built around eating good food, together with family and friends.”
Watch Jamie’s inspiring acceptance speech:
It also conveniently coincides with that other little MAJOR announcement by the First Lady Michelle Obama, the launch in February of the Let’s Move initiative to combat childhood obesity. Read a summary of the Let’s Move campiagn here by my colleague Janet Helm RD. To quote Janet Helm RD:
“I think it’s important to show support for an effort like this. It’s easy to be critical or cynical, but it’s going to take us all working together to make a difference. As Mrs. Obama said, “it won’t be easy, and it won’t be quick, but we know the answers….We can decide to solve this problem.”
I echo these words. We need to stop talking and take action. And if Jamie is prepared to have a go along with Mrs O, I’ll support him every step of the way. You can too:
Jamie is on his way downunder for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and has a whole lot more on his plate for you to check out. This includes one of the most beautifully published magazines I’ve seen in a longtime. Here’s a sneak peek from the latest issue to whet your appetite. So are you a Jamie fan? Have you been to any of his events? Restaurants? What’s your favourite Jamie recipe? Love to hear your comments below.
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11 Comments
I agree that showmanship is important in getting your message across. That is why it is nice to have celebrities like Jamie Oliver and Mrs Obama take on the problem of childhood obesity. I hope it works in making a real change, but I am not holding my breath for it. That is because, I find a complete lack of creativity in these initiatives. Jamie’s show on ABC is going to be simply entertainment, not one to inspire change in habits. And as far as Mrs. Obama’s Let’s Move is concerned, I have already given 5 reasons why I think it is destined to disappoint.
http://bit.ly/bAt98R
I’m from the UK and think the work that Jamie Oliver is fantastic. I remember when he first launched as the ‘naked chef’ and was instantly catapulted to fame. It is so refreshing to see a celebrity chef using his profile to really try and make a difference to how we all eat food, from the work he does with kids to educating people on where food comes from.
Looking forward to the Food and Wine festival in a few weeks!
Jamie Oliver gets two thumbs up from me. I love the way he took on those school dinner ladies, disgruntled parents, lobbied government and a backlash of public opinion because he seems to genuinely care and seems frightened of where childhood obesity levels are headed. He cares enough to risk what could be seen as a risky comercial tv venture. More power to him! Look where he’s headed now! Most powerful nation with some of the world’s worst obesity problems with one of the most powerful women in the world- Michelle Obama.
Not so silly a venture after all! Go Jamie!Awareness is the first step in initiating change.
I agree that Jaimie is taking the issue on head on and I admire him for it. Taking on the yanks will be a full on experience. I hope they are ready!! There is a whole generation of kids at stake- not to mention our poor world which is slowly being buried in non biodegradable fast food wrappers!! Food miles, fat kids, sick care, fast fast fast!! Hope the message gets through!
Loving your site!
Excellent post! And thanks for the shoutout.
Your blog is outstanding. Congrats!
Thanks for all the comments. But I can’t believe that there is not one recommendation for a fave Jamie recipe? Anyone?
You may be interested to see the response from the USA School Nutrition Association – they highlight the significant improvements they have already made and ongoing work.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/183156.php
He’s done it all at such a young age. He has 3 kids and looking fwd to a 4th!River cafe apprentice to Jamie Oliver! Then superstardom. Tough to handle and come out a normal guy. He knows his rock star appeal and he uses it for good and not evil:). He could just pump out a few more tv series. He will, he needs to pay the bills, but I believe that this guy has passion. He’s turned his sights to something bigger than creating food, now he’s trying to change the mindset of generations that have evolved-the toughest task of all, so brave. He wants to use his appeal to create change. He doen’t wear a suit and the road show is ever so basic. Just him in jeans and a looks like flanny shirt! So aussie!I think he’s terrrific and humble in a rock star way. Hope you get on Jamie!Hope everyone over there gets a glimpse of you. Because the reat of them representing health are sometimes are scarey. Steve Irwin of food. Go for it!
Emma – great post. I love Jamie! My favourite recipe is his minestrone soup -basically you just add whatever vegies are in season as well as bits of bashed up old pasta and serve with some pesto and parmesan cheese. Tastes great, is easy and a great way to eat locally and save on food waste!