Joining forces with Mumsnet

Jamie at a school

We’re working with some amazing media partners and digital forums to shine a light on the unsung heroes behind the incredible school food system. Here’s Jamie’s message to Mumsnet.

I want to celebrate a workforce of unsung heroes bigger than the Royal Navy and Air Force combined – and I need your help!

Seventeen years ago when I first started campaigning, I was shocked to see that there were standards for dog food but not for school food. We’ve come a long way since then. Now we have minimum standards in place, a workforce that’s serving up nearly 5 million meals every single day and food education on the curriculum, making sure all kids learn the skills they need to set them up for life. 

Now I want to show the wonderful people working in school food, food education and the schools they serve the big love they deserve – and I need your help!

We are launching The Jamie Oliver Good School Food Awards to shine a light on amazing catering teams, beautiful canteens, vibrant allotments, fabulous food educators, holiday programmes that go the extra mile, and campaigners who have made positive change. 

There are 8 categories in the inaugural 2023 awards, and we’ve got some incredible money-can’t-buy prizes: For a start, our wonderful sponsor Tefal is kitting out the home kitchens of everyone in the winning catering team! The first Golden Spoon Gongs will be officially presented at the end of the academic year in summer 2023 to celebrate all that has been achieved so far, and we’ll be shouting loudly with the help of our amazing media partners – The One Show, The Sun and Heart FM. 

An expert panel who really knows about school food will create a shortlist, and an amazing panel of celebrity judges including Mary Berry, Greg James, George Webster, Jessica-Ennis Hill, Big Has, Loyle Carner, Joe Wicks, Alex Jones, Seema Pankhania and Jimi Famuwera will pick the winners. 

Do you know a person or school (nursery and pre-school, primary and secondary) that deserves one of our awards? Or do you just know that you deserve one yourself?!

Nominate and apply NOW at www.jamieoliver.com/schoolfoodawards. We can’t wait to see your nominations! 

Big love, 

Jamie O x