![town is statistically said to be the place that
best reflects the demographic make-up of the
country as a whole. Jamie explains, I thought,
well, if it can work here it should be able to work
anywhere. After everything Ive learnt in the last
10 years, I thought, have I ever really got to the
people who could do with the help the most? So
basically, looking into the future to what could
be an answer, I actually went back to the past.
The Ministry of Food actively mentored and
taught people how to deal with getting the best
out of the ingredients during the war, and I found
that incredibly inspiring. So, in some respects,
it shouldve been the first book I shouldve
written, do you know what I mean? . . . It was
based in Rotherham but it wasnt really specific
to the town, it was basically a snapshot of Great
Britain today. Can knowing how to cook make
life better, or doesnt it make any difference?
And of course, one would think Im biased, but I
think it does. I thought why are so many celebrity
chefs in magazines, cookery shows, etc, etc . . .
and people are still not cooking? I think what I
learnt this year was to people that cant cook and
dont care for it, it doesnt matter how much TV
or magazines there are, because they just wont
see it. It can be on 24 hours a day and they just
wont see it if theyre not turned on to it.
A question of class It wasnt really specific to any town, it was
The furore surrounding the Ministry of Food began
before it even aired to the public. Although it basically a snapshot of Great Britain today
may not have been Jamies intention, some
people felt that the show highlighted a class know what boiling water looks like, but I dont always fighting Jamies corner. Now she has a
divide he was even turned on by the people think that makes them look like numpties, I real passion for food and even her own vegetable
of Rotherham, who claimed the show made think that makes them look like theyve been patch. Proving it isnt just young people who lack
them look like numpties and thickos. let down by 40 years of Government, and now culinary skills is Geoff Blackburn, an 84-year-
John Gilding the leader of Rotherham Councils were paying the price. The one thing that would old who never learnt to cook because his wife
Conservative group told Times Online that upset me more than anything would be if the did it for him. When she died he went to seek
the people he put on television were pretty people of Rotherham felt that Id put them in help from the Citizens Advice Bureau, only to be
downmarket and he gave the impression that a bad light because I dont think I have. He turned away. Jamie was touched by his plight;
everyone living here is like that . . . It looks like adds, I think that regardless of age, colour or that was awful. I try to keep a positive view, but
he thinks were all as thick as planks, and that class, its the same problem [not being able to Im still vulnerable, and I think that even after
we live on doner kebabs. Jamies reaction to cook], its not exclusive to one group . . . I think nine months my emotions are up and down like
this: all of a sudden its become, the people in Great Britain, largely, people have got stuff, a yo-yo. So when I meet people like Geoff, for
of Rotherham are pissed off and upset, its a Sky, mobiles, flat screens, weve all got stuff, me thats an inspiration, that Im not wasting
North/South thing, its a rich/poor thing, and no matter what class or employment status. But my time. And therell be hundreds of thousands
Im reading these pieces obviously slagging me what was quite interesting was I was meeting of Geoffs up and down the country, born in the
off, but thinking, you obviously havent even people who were in theory loaded, but didnt last remaining era when women cooked if they
watched the programme, because its not about know how to cook. So they were eating just end up in the unfortunate situation where these
class, its not about age, its not about North as badly as someone unemployed that didnt ladies arent there anymore, they go from a life
and South, I feel confident about whats in the know how to cook. For me, the most shocking of bliss to eating shit, and theyre buying into the
programmes and I dont want the people of case was that of Natasha Whiteman, a single same solutions that all the young ones are. He
Rotherham thinking Ive come in and slagged mother who fed her kids on take-away burgers even went to the local college and they said, we
their town off. Its set in Rotherham but its and kebabs six or seven days a week. When we cant do anything for you cause youre so old.
not Rotherham-specific, the same problems meet her in episode one, its clear she knows Thats why I realised that part of the solution
are everywhere. Ive been there for a year, Ive something is wrong, and as Jamie begins to give would be to have a Ministry of Food, bricks and
never seen or portrayed the people as numpties, her confidence in the kitchen, the change in her mortar, in any town that felt they needed one, it
youve got a bunch of people saying, I dont is amazing. She becomes a leader in the group, would offer free cooking lessons six days a week,
fresh 84 www.fresh-magazine.co.uk](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/jamieoliver-12693600050785-phpapp02/85/Jamie-Oliver-4-320.jpg)
![fresh outlook
jamie oliver
do? How much are you going to spend? Are
you going to train enough staff to do it? . . . quick questions Q&A
Its really hard to be politically-minded these i heard that youre going to be doing a
days, really hard to engage with politics. programme in the states . . . ?
And Ive always remained apolitical. But Its more of a gastronomic journey, really. I
the stuff that Ive done recently has turned spent the last week in New Orleans, Louisiana,
me, messing around in the area of politics learning. Its a time for me to go out and learn
was never supposed to be. But obviously, I whats good in those areas and how they do
know my job really well and I know the food it, and also in the midst of the last hurricane,
industry better than most. I do feel that the and Katrina, its quite an interesting social trip
Government and Im not referring just to as well, to see how food plays a big part in
this Government but all Governments for normality, coming back after the hurricanes.
the last 40 years has taken such liberties, Everyone was banned from New Orleans, but
taxing our girls who have gone out to work. actually all the restaurants started opening up,
If you said to every working mum, your and it kinda sung out loud that the town was
kidsll get fed properly at school, and theyll open for business as usual, and the confidence
also come out at 16 knowing how to look got everyone else coming back. I dunno what to
after themselves, I think every parent call it, really, a sort of travelogue-cookshow-
would say, fine. Thank you. But that hasnt cum-documentary. I think its gonna be good.
happened. And actually, its taken a bunch
of documentaries and some poxy TV chef Who would you swap places with for 24 hours?
to bring the story to a certain level, but Thats a good question! Let me think . . . Rooney?
theyre starting to say all the right things Or the lead singer of The Kooks?
now. Weve got a Government that for the
first time in 40 years is saying, were gonna Are you still into your music?
teach kids how to cook, and as far as Im Yeah, Ive always been into it. I still do a bit of
concerned that is wonderful. But now, cause drumming at the weekends but thats it. I mean,
Ive learnt a lot, Im not just saying, how I love my music, and obviously itd be good to be
about talking about this, or, how about good at football.
you can come in for three minutes and learn agreeing to this? Im saying, right, youre
how to poach an egg, or have a formal hours agreeing to this, how are you going do it, every mans dream. so, what would your
lesson and youll be able to touch, see and what are you going to spend? How will this last meal be?
do a stir-fry, or a roast, or whatever. Itll work in primary schools? Is this going to be Probably me Mums roast chicken will all
cost about 贈150k a year to run, and as far as tested? Are parents going to be involved the trimmings.
the councils are concerned thats not new in it? And because now I know the school
money, thats old money, its sitting there. system ... what Im trying to say to you is Good answer! And have you got a
that you cant baffle me by bollocks. And Id favourite restaurant?
A solution? rather them not waste their money, unless I think my favourite restaurant at the moment is
Jamies plan was to teach eight people in they do it properly. I think the next five years called Hix Oyster & Chop House . . . Mark Hixs
Rotherham how to cook. In return, they are really important actually. As far as Great new place. Ive had two good meals there.
would pass on their new skills to two of their Britains concerned, I really, truly believe that
friends and so on until the whole country great or awful things will emerge from what What are you going to be doing at christmas?
is cooking a kind of pyramid scheme for system they use over the next five years. Ive got all the family coming to us this year
budding cooks. Unrealistic perhaps, but Unfortunately for me Mr Olivers punctuality theres about 20 of us, and Ill be doing goose, and
you cant help but admire Jamies drive, goes against me in the end, as we have to turkey, with all the trimmings. It should be lovely.
and even if only a few more people learn finish our interview because he has to run off
to cook, that will still be an achievement. to the next one. I have to apologise for being What would you like santa to bring you?
Personally I think that another solution would so serious so early on a Monday morning, but Umm what would I like?! I would love him to bring
be for cookery to be made compulsory in Jamie is bright as ever, thats all right, its me some iTunes vouchers, that would be nice.
our schools, and of course Jamie agrees, becoming more normal for me! Thanks a lot,
Its an interesting time politically at the lots of love. Bye! congratulations on becoming a father again.
moment, the Government are thinking of Do you know what it is yet or are you waiting
making it available to every student to learn to be surprised?
a handful of basic, relevant cookery skills, Not yet, no . . . We went to the first scan but we
and I just want to make sure that they do it havent found out. Well see, I wouldnt mind
properly or not at all, really . . . [they] are finding out, but Jools is very strict about not
saying that theyre going to do something, Jamies Ministry of Food is finding out. So well play it by ear.
and what Im really enthusiastic but also published by Penguin, 贈25
concerned about is what ARE you going to
www.fresh-magazine.co.uk fresh 85](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/jamieoliver-12693600050785-phpapp02/85/Jamie-Oliver-5-320.jpg)
Jamie Oliver
- 2. Jamies Army fresh stand xxx stand xxx stand xxx stand xxx stad xxx name xxx xxxxx fresh 82 www.fresh-magazine.co.uk
- 3. fresh outlook jamie oliver Nikki Haynes talks class, cooking and Christmas presents with the man behind the new Ministry of Food . . . O VER THE years Ive done many interviews by phone, and in my experience celebrities are not renowned for their great timekeeping, so when I was told that Jamie would call me at 9.30 on a Monday morning I was prepared with a cup of tea and some reading to keep me occupied for half an hour whilst I waited by the phone. Imagine my surprise when, at half nine on the dot, the phone rings; Hello honey . . . I dont really spend much time doing interviews, but Ive got them all today and tomorrow, then back to work as normal. Ive only just started so youve got me fresh! The reason for Jamies busy interview schedule is his latest TV series, Ministry of Food, designed to get the country cooking again. The programme was inspired by the original Ministry of Food set up during World War II to help families use their rations wisely and efficiently. Back to the future We may not be in such dire straits these days, but Jamie has to contend with the fact that were now in recession, with food prices rocketing and budgeting firmly back in fashion. Also, the original Ministry of Food probably didnt have to teach many people from scratch as most would have been regular cooks out of necessity fewer kebab shops in those days! Some of the people that Jamie meets have never chopped an onion before and one woman confesses she isnt even sure what boiling water looks like. Jamie decided to set the series in Rotherham because its the home town of Julie Critchlow, who you may remember as one of the mothers in the infamous, highly publicised pictures of parents passing bags of chips through the school railings at the height of his School Dinners campaign. How did those images make him feel? Well, obviously they were very iconic pictures . . . you could say she was my nemesis. But, four years on, she was very pivotal in Rotherham and she sort of showed me the town and gave me loads of help and support when I was doing my thing, and we didnt always agree on everything, but I think it goes to prove that, if you face your demons theyre not always what you think they are, and actually she can cook, and she was very, very helpful. I really appreciate that. Do you think shes changed her opinion? I dunno. I mean, she still says shed imaGeS DAVID LOFTUS do it again. In a way, shes sort of an activist and I kinda quite love that about her spirit. She said that the head teacher didnt want to see her, so I guess she was doing what mothers would do when she felt that she wouldnt be listened to. Another main draw was the South Yorkshire www.fresh-magazine.co.uk fresh 83
- 4. town is statistically said to be the place that best reflects the demographic make-up of the country as a whole. Jamie explains, I thought, well, if it can work here it should be able to work anywhere. After everything Ive learnt in the last 10 years, I thought, have I ever really got to the people who could do with the help the most? So basically, looking into the future to what could be an answer, I actually went back to the past. The Ministry of Food actively mentored and taught people how to deal with getting the best out of the ingredients during the war, and I found that incredibly inspiring. So, in some respects, it shouldve been the first book I shouldve written, do you know what I mean? . . . It was based in Rotherham but it wasnt really specific to the town, it was basically a snapshot of Great Britain today. Can knowing how to cook make life better, or doesnt it make any difference? And of course, one would think Im biased, but I think it does. I thought why are so many celebrity chefs in magazines, cookery shows, etc, etc . . . and people are still not cooking? I think what I learnt this year was to people that cant cook and dont care for it, it doesnt matter how much TV or magazines there are, because they just wont see it. It can be on 24 hours a day and they just wont see it if theyre not turned on to it. A question of class It wasnt really specific to any town, it was The furore surrounding the Ministry of Food began before it even aired to the public. Although it basically a snapshot of Great Britain today may not have been Jamies intention, some people felt that the show highlighted a class know what boiling water looks like, but I dont always fighting Jamies corner. Now she has a divide he was even turned on by the people think that makes them look like numpties, I real passion for food and even her own vegetable of Rotherham, who claimed the show made think that makes them look like theyve been patch. Proving it isnt just young people who lack them look like numpties and thickos. let down by 40 years of Government, and now culinary skills is Geoff Blackburn, an 84-year- John Gilding the leader of Rotherham Councils were paying the price. The one thing that would old who never learnt to cook because his wife Conservative group told Times Online that upset me more than anything would be if the did it for him. When she died he went to seek the people he put on television were pretty people of Rotherham felt that Id put them in help from the Citizens Advice Bureau, only to be downmarket and he gave the impression that a bad light because I dont think I have. He turned away. Jamie was touched by his plight; everyone living here is like that . . . It looks like adds, I think that regardless of age, colour or that was awful. I try to keep a positive view, but he thinks were all as thick as planks, and that class, its the same problem [not being able to Im still vulnerable, and I think that even after we live on doner kebabs. Jamies reaction to cook], its not exclusive to one group . . . I think nine months my emotions are up and down like this: all of a sudden its become, the people in Great Britain, largely, people have got stuff, a yo-yo. So when I meet people like Geoff, for of Rotherham are pissed off and upset, its a Sky, mobiles, flat screens, weve all got stuff, me thats an inspiration, that Im not wasting North/South thing, its a rich/poor thing, and no matter what class or employment status. But my time. And therell be hundreds of thousands Im reading these pieces obviously slagging me what was quite interesting was I was meeting of Geoffs up and down the country, born in the off, but thinking, you obviously havent even people who were in theory loaded, but didnt last remaining era when women cooked if they watched the programme, because its not about know how to cook. So they were eating just end up in the unfortunate situation where these class, its not about age, its not about North as badly as someone unemployed that didnt ladies arent there anymore, they go from a life and South, I feel confident about whats in the know how to cook. For me, the most shocking of bliss to eating shit, and theyre buying into the programmes and I dont want the people of case was that of Natasha Whiteman, a single same solutions that all the young ones are. He Rotherham thinking Ive come in and slagged mother who fed her kids on take-away burgers even went to the local college and they said, we their town off. Its set in Rotherham but its and kebabs six or seven days a week. When we cant do anything for you cause youre so old. not Rotherham-specific, the same problems meet her in episode one, its clear she knows Thats why I realised that part of the solution are everywhere. Ive been there for a year, Ive something is wrong, and as Jamie begins to give would be to have a Ministry of Food, bricks and never seen or portrayed the people as numpties, her confidence in the kitchen, the change in her mortar, in any town that felt they needed one, it youve got a bunch of people saying, I dont is amazing. She becomes a leader in the group, would offer free cooking lessons six days a week, fresh 84 www.fresh-magazine.co.uk
- 5. fresh outlook jamie oliver do? How much are you going to spend? Are you going to train enough staff to do it? . . . quick questions Q&A Its really hard to be politically-minded these i heard that youre going to be doing a days, really hard to engage with politics. programme in the states . . . ? And Ive always remained apolitical. But Its more of a gastronomic journey, really. I the stuff that Ive done recently has turned spent the last week in New Orleans, Louisiana, me, messing around in the area of politics learning. Its a time for me to go out and learn was never supposed to be. But obviously, I whats good in those areas and how they do know my job really well and I know the food it, and also in the midst of the last hurricane, industry better than most. I do feel that the and Katrina, its quite an interesting social trip Government and Im not referring just to as well, to see how food plays a big part in this Government but all Governments for normality, coming back after the hurricanes. the last 40 years has taken such liberties, Everyone was banned from New Orleans, but taxing our girls who have gone out to work. actually all the restaurants started opening up, If you said to every working mum, your and it kinda sung out loud that the town was kidsll get fed properly at school, and theyll open for business as usual, and the confidence also come out at 16 knowing how to look got everyone else coming back. I dunno what to after themselves, I think every parent call it, really, a sort of travelogue-cookshow- would say, fine. Thank you. But that hasnt cum-documentary. I think its gonna be good. happened. And actually, its taken a bunch of documentaries and some poxy TV chef Who would you swap places with for 24 hours? to bring the story to a certain level, but Thats a good question! Let me think . . . Rooney? theyre starting to say all the right things Or the lead singer of The Kooks? now. Weve got a Government that for the first time in 40 years is saying, were gonna Are you still into your music? teach kids how to cook, and as far as Im Yeah, Ive always been into it. I still do a bit of concerned that is wonderful. But now, cause drumming at the weekends but thats it. I mean, Ive learnt a lot, Im not just saying, how I love my music, and obviously itd be good to be about talking about this, or, how about good at football. you can come in for three minutes and learn agreeing to this? Im saying, right, youre how to poach an egg, or have a formal hours agreeing to this, how are you going do it, every mans dream. so, what would your lesson and youll be able to touch, see and what are you going to spend? How will this last meal be? do a stir-fry, or a roast, or whatever. Itll work in primary schools? Is this going to be Probably me Mums roast chicken will all cost about 贈150k a year to run, and as far as tested? Are parents going to be involved the trimmings. the councils are concerned thats not new in it? And because now I know the school money, thats old money, its sitting there. system ... what Im trying to say to you is Good answer! And have you got a that you cant baffle me by bollocks. And Id favourite restaurant? A solution? rather them not waste their money, unless I think my favourite restaurant at the moment is Jamies plan was to teach eight people in they do it properly. I think the next five years called Hix Oyster & Chop House . . . Mark Hixs Rotherham how to cook. In return, they are really important actually. As far as Great new place. Ive had two good meals there. would pass on their new skills to two of their Britains concerned, I really, truly believe that friends and so on until the whole country great or awful things will emerge from what What are you going to be doing at christmas? is cooking a kind of pyramid scheme for system they use over the next five years. Ive got all the family coming to us this year budding cooks. Unrealistic perhaps, but Unfortunately for me Mr Olivers punctuality theres about 20 of us, and Ill be doing goose, and you cant help but admire Jamies drive, goes against me in the end, as we have to turkey, with all the trimmings. It should be lovely. and even if only a few more people learn finish our interview because he has to run off to cook, that will still be an achievement. to the next one. I have to apologise for being What would you like santa to bring you? Personally I think that another solution would so serious so early on a Monday morning, but Umm what would I like?! I would love him to bring be for cookery to be made compulsory in Jamie is bright as ever, thats all right, its me some iTunes vouchers, that would be nice. our schools, and of course Jamie agrees, becoming more normal for me! Thanks a lot, Its an interesting time politically at the lots of love. Bye! congratulations on becoming a father again. moment, the Government are thinking of Do you know what it is yet or are you waiting making it available to every student to learn to be surprised? a handful of basic, relevant cookery skills, Not yet, no . . . We went to the first scan but we and I just want to make sure that they do it havent found out. Well see, I wouldnt mind properly or not at all, really . . . [they] are finding out, but Jools is very strict about not saying that theyre going to do something, Jamies Ministry of Food is finding out. So well play it by ear. and what Im really enthusiastic but also published by Penguin, 贈25 concerned about is what ARE you going to www.fresh-magazine.co.uk fresh 85