Mon 07th Jan 2013 02:07 | Back

The first Victorian Jamie’s Ministry of Food Mobile Kitchen officially launched in Melbourne today with a public celebration which took place amongst a pop-up veggie patch on the rooftop of the car park at Federation Square.

 

Jamie’s Ministry of Food Ambassador, Ian Curley together with Matt Preston, hosted the event which included a live cooking demonstration.  Special guests included The Hon. David Davis (Victorian Minister for Health), Mark Olive, (Black Olive Catering), Lola Berry (leading Australian Nutritionist), Danny Clapp (The Good Guys Bendigo) who prepared Jamie’s Frozen Fruit Smoothies and One Cup Pancakes with Tropical Yoghurt and Mango.

 

Jamie Oliver, who wasn’t able to attend the launch, said how thrilled he was to see the program grow.

 

“This is a big day, this is a really important moment for us because as far as the fight against diet-related disease and obesity is concerned, it’s so important that we are mobile and we can get to where the problems are.  We can deliver cooking lessons where it’s needed most and really help families who need our support to change their lives,” Jamie said.

 

The Mobile Kitchen, a 15 metre long, 10 metre wide and 25 tonne purpose built, kitchen classroom, will set off on a two and a half year journey around Victoria, starting in Bendigo on Friday 11^th January.  It will bed down in the community for ten weeks delivering a five-week cooking course before its sets off to Whittlesea, followed by Cardinia and Latrobe.

 

Jamie Oliver partnered with electrical retailer The Good Guys to expand his global campaign against diet-related disease and established Jamie’s Ministry of Food in Australia.  Jamie’s Ministry of Food is part of Healthy Together Victoria, a jointly funded initiative of the State Government of Victoria and the Australian Government.  As part of this initiative the Mobile Kitchen will visit 11 Prevention locations identified by the Victorian Government.

 

Jamie’s Ministry of Food is all about inspiring people to get back basics in the kitchen and start cooking meals from scratch using fresh, local and seasonal ingredients.  Alicia Peardon, CEO of Jamie’s Ministry of Food Australia said that cooking is a life skill that everyone should learn and the program is designed to empower people.

 

“Over a 5 week cooking course, at just $10 a class, participants learn how to shop for good food, create a nutritional and tasty menu from scratch and gain practical hands on experience cooking it.  Jamie’s ongoing mantra is about encouraging people to make better food choices, to live a healthier and longer life. We simply give people the skills, knowledge and resources to help them change their lives.”

 

Established with the support of the electrical retailer The Good Guys and the Victorian Government, the Jamie’s Ministry of Food Mobile Kitchen will run a 5-week cooking course, comprised of a 90 minute cooking class per week.  Courses will be available 7 days a week.

 

Jamie’s Ministry of Food Mobile Kitchen Travel Route:

Bendigo – 11^th January – 28^th March 2013

Whittlesea – April – June 2013

Cardinia – June – September 2013

Latrobe – September – November 2013