I met Jamie Oliver last week and it was a total thrill. Such a thrill that it didn't even cross my mind to get photographic evidence for you.
Here's Jamie and Martha Stewart at the taping of her At Martha's Table show on Sirius Satellite, which was the reason the group of us journalists gathered last week in a big glass box to hear them chit chat. But believe me, I was there, at the hem of Jamie's flannel shirt as they were snapping these pictures. And with limited time left, I was asked if I wouldn't mind mind tucking into an elevator car with him to ride down to his waiting chariot — I mean SUV — and ask him one question. No problem.
You know how much we love his cookbooks: we are quick to review them, including his latest, Jamie at Home. Even if he weren't a save-the-world genius, I'd still love him for his consistently downright brilliant recipes. But the catch is, he is saving the world, one meal at a time. And that's what we hope to be doing too with The Kitchn.
So I asked him, is this a tall order? Turns out we agree: maybe, but he said you have to go with your skills and your passions, and in his cafe, those are both cooking. So there you go: there are at least two of us who think it can be done.
Any others out there? How will you change the world with food?
More Jamie:
• Jamie Oliver Kills Baby Chicks on TV
• Jamie Oliver's Flavour Shaker
• Jamie Oliver's Warm Vintage Style
• Book Review: Jamie's Italy
(image: Maro Hagopian)
By putting my money where my mouth is! When I eat out, I try to choose dishes that have a noted local product on it, or at a green-ish restaurant. When I purchase things, I always choose the organic/local/fair trade product over conventional. Its not just about my 1 bag of sugar, or a single gallon of milk... its about all of it put together. It's about my actions in the aggregate!
Plus, there is no easier way to get someone to get on board with a cause or an idea than to let them experience it themselves. Nothing lets you do that quite like food! As in, "This is better for the world because of A, B and C. Taste it too!"
view AnneBird's profile
I want to encourage people to cook for themselves as much as possible because it's more satisfying to the soul and body than take-out. Go to the farmer's market because it's fun, you will support local agriculture, cut down on environmental waste AND your produce will taste better and have more vitamins in it!
Mindful shopping and cooking also cuts down on mindless eating. I want to share my experience of losing 30 pounds and keeping it off by cooking from scratch without sacrificing flavor.
view Rachelino's profile
I try the best I can right now.
I look forward to the opportunity to be able to execute a business model that is as idealistic as possible with the just the right amount of practicality to be profitable.
view art's profile
I love Jamie Oliver! I watched all of his segments on the Today Show last week and fell in love. MUST obtain of of his books.
As for changing the world? Well, there's encouraging people to pay attention to where their food comes from, getting friends together to cook and try new recipes instead of mindlessly dropping 80 bucks on a dinner out for two, and of course buying local whenever possible. I've been on my own for about 5 years now and am just starting to get the hang of it.
view corrie's profile
My husband had out-of-town visitors for work-related meetings, whom we invited to eat dinner with us at home last night. I had the luxury of having the whole day to prepare and cook for the seven of us (two guests, five family members). My effort to present a special meal was small compared to the enjoyment we had in the fellowship and conversation over the food! It would have been easier to take our visitors out to eat, but they were refreshed in our home and our children benefited so much from the visit with our guests. Isn't saving the world all about caring for individual people? Cooking is certainly part of all that. (And my meal had several recipes I got from The Kitchn!)
view eightisenough's profile
I'm a huge fan and I've tried my best to follow his lead.
view cweingarten's profile
By showing people how food can nurture both body and soul through everything I buy, everything I cook and everything I share.
view swirlingnotions's profile