Jamie Oliver Brings the Culinary Arts to British Schools
September 1, 2006
by Wendy Croix
Culinary Institutes Columnist
Leave it to Naked Chef Jamie Oliver to stir up culinary controversy. A year ago, he began a well-intended campaign to apply the culinary arts to school lunches across Britain. His efforts, which the New Statesman labels a "jihad against junk food," have whipped up his critics. Still, he counts Tony Blair--and hundreds of newly-informed school children--among his culinary fans.
Not Entirely a Good Culinary Thing?
Not since the U.S. government declared catsup a vegetable has school lunch reform been so debated. Apparently cooking good food increases preparation time, and Britain's "Dinner Ladies" are being worked harder yet paid less. Whether this culinary crime can be laid solely on Oliver's kitchen doorstep, or whether mass implementation of cooking arts in the schools puts too much strain on the system remains to be seen. Oliver, true to himself, is maintaining his direction and fighting his critics with a kid culinary-friendly website.
"Feed Me Better" Cites Culinary Offenders, Praises Heroes
The cell phone has become the latest weapon in the culinary arts wars waged in British public schools. Oliver invites kids--and culinary arts personnel--to take pictures of their lunches and post them on his "Feed Me Better" website. The culinary images on the site make it clear that one picture of a dismal, institutional school lunch is truly worth a thousand heated words.
Jamie Oliver's Charitable Culinary Efforts
Jamie Oliver won't quit his culinary arts campaign voluntarily, even if the schools stop cooperating. Leaving public schools at sixteen for the culinary arts academy, Jamie entered a profession where his dyslexia would be less of a problem. His own struggles have made him sensitive to the needs of others, a quality displayed both in his attempts to bring culinary arts to British Schools and in his charity restaurant, Fifteen, which trains fifteen disadvantaged youth in culinary arts and hospitality.
His critics can rant all they want about Oliver's culinary heroism. Because of his efforts to bring culinary arts to the schools, the Naked Chef was named Britain's "Most Inspiring Political Figure of 2005."
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About the Author
Wendy Croix, Ph.D. is a freelance writer, cultural critic and university professor who has guided hundreds of students toward the careers of their dreams.
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