jamie oliver kickstarts a revolution in america

Jamie Oliver Kickstarts A Revolution In America

Wed 13 Jan 2010

Story by Patrick Preblick - ABC Media Relations
 

ABC Television Network - "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" Premieres Friday March 26, 9:00-10:00 p.m., ET on ABC

Jamie Oliver is here to start a revolution. The impassioned chef, TV personality and best-selling author is determined to take on the high statistics of obesity, heart disease and diabetes in this country, where our nation's children are the first generation not expected to live as long as their parents. Jamie is inviting viewers to take a stand and change the way America eats, in our home kitchens, schools and workplaces, with the thought-provoking new series, "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution," debuting FRIDAY, MARCH 26 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. The series is produced by Ryan Seacrest Productions and Fresh One Productions.

In the series, Jamie heads to Huntington, West Virginia - which has been called the unhealthiest city in America -- to start his new cooking initiative. He hopes to help get Huntington off that list and start a chain reaction of positive change across the country. Jamie says, "The time is right for people to rediscover the sense of pride, satisfaction and fun you can get from cooking for the people you love. There's an incredible community in Huntington, and I want this experience to be a celebration of what we can achieve when people come together. I want to prove that turning around the epidemic of obesity and bad health doesn't have to be boring or dull in the slightest. Wonderful stories will unfold in Huntington, and hopefully this will inspire the rest of the States."

Needled by local naysayers, challenged by ingrained unhealthy habits and government bureaucracy, and welcomed by some of the most surprising youngsters, families and local leaders, Jamie shows how, in just a few short months, he tried to transform Huntington as a template for the entire country. The stakes? Simply the health of our country's citizens and the legacy for its children.

The series is loosely based on Jamie Oliver's U.K. series, "Jamie's Ministry of Food" and "Jamie's School Dinners," which saw his successful grass-roots efforts improve the school lunches in communities there. For the latter show, it resulted in a total overhaul of the school dinner program in the U.K. In America, he's turning his attention to helping people of all ages eat more balanced meals and cook with fresh ingredients, not only at schools, but also homes, workplaces and even restaurants.

Jamie's recent television credits include "Oprah's Big Give" for ABC. He is the author of nine popular cookbooks, including The Naked Chef, Cook with Jamie and Jamie at Home. Hyperion published his latest cookbook, Jamie's Food Revolution: Rediscover How to Cook Simple, Delicious, Affordable Meals, in October 2009.

Executive producers of "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" are Jamie Oliver, Ryan Seacrest and Craig Armstrong ("Extreme Makeover: Home Edition").

A video clip of "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" is available at www.abcmedianet.com.

For more information on Jamie's Food Revolution.