OUR STORY
Where it all began
The UK's first Ministry of Food was set up by the British Government during the Second World War to establish a national network of food advisors and cooking teachers to educate the public about food and nutrition so they would be able to feed themselves properly with the rations available. It proved to be an example of how a government could quickly and successfully educate people in times of crisis. In Australia, the Commonwealth Rationing Commission was set up after limited rationing was introduced in 1942. Wartime recipes were circulated in magazines, pamphlets and on government-sponsored radio programs, alongside advice on how to make use of available food. Although the Australian government feared that rationing would have an adverse effect on people’s health, the opposite proved true. As in the UK, the period saw a drop in the number of people suffering from diet-related problems.Today's modern day epidemic
These days the food crisis isn’t about rationing: it’s about people not understanding food at all. Cooking skills used to be passed down through the generations but now that chain has been broken. A rise in busy working families, the popularity of convenience foods and a lack of compulsory food education in schools has resulted in a generation of people who have not been taught the basics of cooking.
THE INSPIRATION
Taking inspiration from this, Jamie decided he wanted to reintroduce this network of local food centres and cookery teachers. With support from electrical retailer The Good Guys, The Good Foundation was established to deliver Jamie’s Ministry of Food Australia.Jamie's Ministry of Food Australia is a practical solution to the problems of obesity and diet-related disease and is a grassroots response to this generation's lack of basic food skills. By teaching people to start cooking for themselves once again and equipping them with some simple skills and knowledge, the campaign aims to inspire and empower change in the way people eat and think about food.
Jamie's Ministry of Food is simple in what it does, its all about getting everyone cooking again by teaching people the basics: how to grocery shop, how to cook and how to enjoy food in a way that benefits them and their families. It aims to give as many people as possible the tools and information they need to make better food choices.
FAQs
1. How does the course work?
Jamie's Ministry of Food is a basic 10-week cooking course in a Centre and 5-week cooking course on the Mobile Kitchen. Classes are the same time each week and run for 90 minutes. Classes are completely hands on, participants get to see, smell, feel and taste everything you cook. Every week you will learn to cook simple, healthy and tasty meals using fresh ingredients. The course will also cover meal planning, budgeting and shopping tips, as well as key nutritional information.
2. Who can attend the course?
The course is open to people who want to learn the basics of cooking. The minimum age is 12 years. Children aged between 12 and 16 can enrol but MUST be accompanied by a parent /guardian (1:3 ratio).
3. Do I need to attend all classes?
Participants MUST attend the first class. If you are unable to participate in the first class you will not be able to attend the following classes. All bookings are non-transferable or refundable.
4. What happens if I miss a class?
Bookings are non-transferable and payments are non-refundable.
5. What do I need to wear to a class?
You need to wear comfortable, practical clothing and closed toed shoes for safety in the kitchen.
6. What do I need to bring?
For your first class, you do not need to bring anything. We provide all of the equipment, ingredients and an apron.
7. Is the Ministry of Food Program accessible for people with a disability or special needs?
Participants with a disability or special needs are encouraged to contact the Centre directly. For fixed Centre locations please contact Ipswich on 07 3281 0340 or Geelong on 03 5222 8413 to discuss your special needs with staff at the Centre prior to booking into a course. For the Mobile Kitchen, please contact Head Office on (03) 9933 3390. All participants with a disability are required to come with a carer/support worker/friend/family member to support them during the class (1:1 ratio). It is imperative that the same person assisting comes to all classes for Health and safety reasons. This person will be required to be booked into the course under a separate booking. The Centres are accessible via a ramp and have a disabled toilet.
8. What times are the classes?
Ipswich
Monday - Wednesday: 10am, 2pm and 4.30pm
Thursday - Friday: 10am, 2pm, 4.30pm and 7pm
Saturday: 9am, 11.30am, 2pm and 4.30pm
Geelong
Monday and Tuesday: 11am, 2pm and 4.30pm
Wednesday – Friday 11am, 2pm, 4:30pm and
7pmSaturday: 9am, 11.30am and 2pm
Sunday: 10am, 12.30pm and 3pm
Mobile Kitchen schedules vary slightly in each location – log onto www.jamiesministryoffood.com for further details
9. What if I don't like what is cooked?
The recipes taught throughout the course are designed to offer all participants the chance to increase their cooking skills whilst teaching key nutritional information and how to prepare cost effective recipes for all. Furthermore we hope to teach all participants to cook with new ingredients and develop their palate.
10. How do I book into a course?
You can book online at https://thegoodfoundation.secure.force.com/bookings or drop into a Centre:
Ipswich
Jamie's Ministry of Food Ipswich
d'Arcy Doyle Place
Ipswich QLD 4305
07 3281 0340
Geelong
Jamie's Ministry of Food Geelong
106 Moorabool Street
Geelong VIC 3220
03 5222 8415
Mobile Kitchens
All bookings for the Mobile Kitchen see www.jamiesministryoffood.com
11. How much does a course cost and how do I pay?
Centre
The course costs $100 for the 10 weeks (10 classes) or $50 for a valid concession card holder. You can pay online using a credit card or paypal, or if you wish to pay cash, you may do so in the Centre.
Mobile Kitchen
The course costs $50 for the 5 weeks (5 classes) or $25 for a valid concession card holder. You can pay online using a credit card or paypal.
12. Are gift vouchers available?
Yes; only for the Centres. A gift voucher is great way to encourage a member of your family or a friend to participate in the 10-week cooking course. Gift vouchers are available for purchase and are for the total fee of the course ($100 or $50 with a valid concession card). You can purchase a gift voucher for a family member or friend in person at the Centre. Gift vouchers are valid for 12months.
13. How do I redeem a gift voucher?
All bookings using a gift voucher must be made at the Centre by presenting your valid gift voucher. You will be provided with a range of class options to book into.
14. Can I make a group booking?
If you are part of community or corporate organisations you can make a group booking by contacting the Centres directly or online. The maximum number of people able to attend any one class is 12 in Ipswich or 15 in Geelong.
Ipswich Centre Ph: 07 3281 0340 or mofipswich@thegoodfoundation.com.au
Geelong Centre Ph: 03 5222 8413 or mofgeelong@thegoodfoundation.com.au
15. What do I do if I have a food allergy or dietary requirement?
If you have a food allergy please contact the Centre when you book into a course. As the course is designed to provide a broad knowledge of cooking skills, we are unable to offer special ingredients to accommodate specific needs.
Ipswich Centre Ph. 07 3281 0340
Geelong Centre Ph. 03 5222 8413
Jamie's Ministry of Food is a basic 10-week cooking course in a Centre and 5-week cooking course on the Mobile Kitchen. Classes are the same time each week and run for 90 minutes. Classes are completely hands on, participants get to see, smell, feel and taste everything you cook. Every week you will learn to cook simple, healthy and tasty meals using fresh ingredients. The course will also cover meal planning, budgeting and shopping tips, as well as key nutritional information.
2. Who can attend the course?
The course is open to people who want to learn the basics of cooking. The minimum age is 12 years. Children aged between 12 and 16 can enrol but MUST be accompanied by a parent /guardian (1:3 ratio).
3. Do I need to attend all classes?
Participants MUST attend the first class. If you are unable to participate in the first class you will not be able to attend the following classes. All bookings are non-transferable or refundable.
4. What happens if I miss a class?
Bookings are non-transferable and payments are non-refundable.
5. What do I need to wear to a class?
You need to wear comfortable, practical clothing and closed toed shoes for safety in the kitchen.
6. What do I need to bring?
For your first class, you do not need to bring anything. We provide all of the equipment, ingredients and an apron.
7. Is the Ministry of Food Program accessible for people with a disability or special needs?
Participants with a disability or special needs are encouraged to contact the Centre directly. For fixed Centre locations please contact Ipswich on 07 3281 0340 or Geelong on 03 5222 8413 to discuss your special needs with staff at the Centre prior to booking into a course. For the Mobile Kitchen, please contact Head Office on (03) 9933 3390. All participants with a disability are required to come with a carer/support worker/friend/family member to support them during the class (1:1 ratio). It is imperative that the same person assisting comes to all classes for Health and safety reasons. This person will be required to be booked into the course under a separate booking. The Centres are accessible via a ramp and have a disabled toilet.
8. What times are the classes?
Ipswich
Monday - Wednesday: 10am, 2pm and 4.30pm
Thursday - Friday: 10am, 2pm, 4.30pm and 7pm
Saturday: 9am, 11.30am, 2pm and 4.30pm
Geelong
Monday and Tuesday: 11am, 2pm and 4.30pm
Wednesday – Friday 11am, 2pm, 4:30pm and
7pmSaturday: 9am, 11.30am and 2pm
Sunday: 10am, 12.30pm and 3pm
Mobile Kitchen schedules vary slightly in each location – log onto www.jamiesministryoffood.com for further details
9. What if I don't like what is cooked?
The recipes taught throughout the course are designed to offer all participants the chance to increase their cooking skills whilst teaching key nutritional information and how to prepare cost effective recipes for all. Furthermore we hope to teach all participants to cook with new ingredients and develop their palate.
10. How do I book into a course?
You can book online at https://thegoodfoundation.secure.force.com/bookings or drop into a Centre:
Ipswich
Jamie's Ministry of Food Ipswich
d'Arcy Doyle Place
Ipswich QLD 4305
07 3281 0340
Geelong
Jamie's Ministry of Food Geelong
106 Moorabool Street
Geelong VIC 3220
03 5222 8415
Mobile Kitchens
All bookings for the Mobile Kitchen see www.jamiesministryoffood.com
11. How much does a course cost and how do I pay?
Centre
The course costs $100 for the 10 weeks (10 classes) or $50 for a valid concession card holder. You can pay online using a credit card or paypal, or if you wish to pay cash, you may do so in the Centre.
Mobile Kitchen
The course costs $50 for the 5 weeks (5 classes) or $25 for a valid concession card holder. You can pay online using a credit card or paypal.
12. Are gift vouchers available?
Yes; only for the Centres. A gift voucher is great way to encourage a member of your family or a friend to participate in the 10-week cooking course. Gift vouchers are available for purchase and are for the total fee of the course ($100 or $50 with a valid concession card). You can purchase a gift voucher for a family member or friend in person at the Centre. Gift vouchers are valid for 12months.
13. How do I redeem a gift voucher?
All bookings using a gift voucher must be made at the Centre by presenting your valid gift voucher. You will be provided with a range of class options to book into.
14. Can I make a group booking?
If you are part of community or corporate organisations you can make a group booking by contacting the Centres directly or online. The maximum number of people able to attend any one class is 12 in Ipswich or 15 in Geelong.
Ipswich Centre Ph: 07 3281 0340 or mofipswich@thegoodfoundation.com.au
Geelong Centre Ph: 03 5222 8413 or mofgeelong@thegoodfoundation.com.au
15. What do I do if I have a food allergy or dietary requirement?
If you have a food allergy please contact the Centre when you book into a course. As the course is designed to provide a broad knowledge of cooking skills, we are unable to offer special ingredients to accommodate specific needs.
Ipswich Centre Ph. 07 3281 0340
Geelong Centre Ph. 03 5222 8413
