Hi Everyone, and Jamie&Team,

I am writing this post in regards to Jamieś School programme show I have seen lately in Hungary. First of all congratulations to Jamie for all his efforts, dedication for his goal: to make kids eat better at school. Being brought up in Hungary and then spent an exchange programme in Finland, I was admitted to College in the UK. This was in the mid 90-s, before certain Eastern European countries were admitted to the EU. I can certainly say I have starved for the entire 5 years I spent in the UK during my college years. The concept of food culture in the UK at the time did not exist. People did not have an interest to eat well as adults, so what chance did the poor kids get? After graduating I have returned to Hungary to start my career with my UK diploma. Then I realized what I was missing all those years: nutritious, edible, tasty, healthy, filling food.
Why am I writing about all this?
I believe many kids do not eat well in the UK, because their parents do not take time an interest in making a quality meal, and to dedicate quality time for them, overall. Far from generalising, but that is my experience and I had friends from all over the UK, with different background and income.
After watching Jamie´s show when he arranged some students to meet David Cameron, I have wondered why those kids are so angry and unhappy. Have they ever thought what it is like to collect woods in the morning and make a fire, in order to have hot water to shower and make a meal? I saw this. In Romania. in 2012. (For those who do not know: Romania is part of the EU.) Have those kids ever thought going to work during their summer and school holidays every year from the age of 10 to help their parents earn a living? I saw this in Bulgaria. ( Bulgaria is also in the EU). I travel an awful amount with my job in Eastern Europe and I see things that I often wonder how these kids survive.
But these kids in Romania, Bulgaria, their parents try to feed them well and give them all the love they need to grow up.
The kids Jamie introduced his programme are full of frustration and lack of love and guidance from their parents. Perhaps Jamie ever thought of making an exchange programme between those kids from Romania, Bulgaria and those from UK with troubled background? Perhaps it would make them realise that what they have is not so bad and you dont need a lot of money to eat and live well?
Just a thought. And please Jamie please keep doing what you have started. We need more like you.

Judit

ps. But the way, have you Jamie ever tasted Hungarian wines?