Sept. 10, 2009
'Naked Chef' Jamie Oliver Displays ‘Trust Me’ Sincerity, Hopes to Win Over Masses in Huntington
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) -- Skeptics aside. Based on the turnout at the Wednesday night Town Meeting at Huntington City Hall, Chef Jamie Oliver is the real deal in his quest to help teach those of us in the Tri State to eat better.
By way of soothing the dreaded AP pronouncement about Huntington being the “most obese city in the U.S.,” Oliver reminded everyone that only about five percentage points separated our town from others. On the other hand, he did add a little bad news: The U.S. has the rep of the most unhealthy eating habits --- along with his native Great Britain --- so, by extrapolation, we could be the most obese city on the planet!
Quickly seeking to dispel qualms about the “hillbilly” stereotype, Oliver stated, “I’m a foreigner… I don’t get any of the North, South, East and West thing. I don’t know what a hillbilly is.”
But, he does know what a Hillbilly Hot Dog and a giant burger tastes like.
Introduced by Mayor Kim Wolfe who said the shooting of the untitled Jamie Oliver Show has generated a level of “buzz” not experienced since the shooting of the Marshall movie. Wolfe added that Oliver’s campaign will add a plank to his own goals for Huntington --- “a safer, cleaner and healthier city,” Wolfe said.
Oliver quickly revealed that he and his crew will be “staying here two or three months” trying to “get under the skin of the [eating] problems” (translation: Obesity) in our area by working with schools, churches , families and restaurants.
The chef recognized the issue that several audience members explained --- often all the choices presented are unhealthy and/or the healthy options are too expensive.
For instance, seven-year-old Sophia Necco brought a poster that depicted what items were on the school lunch menu at Chesapeake Elementary School. The menu ranges from corn dogs and hamburgers to hot dogs and funnel cakes.
Oliver explained that his reasoning for starting at the school lunch level is that “this could be the first generation where kids teach parents.” He agreed that “Everyone has been affected by bad habits,” which contribute to obesity. Yet, children are the agents of change if they can be taught what’s healthy and unhealthy to eat.
One audience member pointed out that restaurants offer large servings, so you feel you have to eat all to get your money’s worth. For that matter, how many mothers and fathers told their children to eat everything on their plate?
To sway people from cholesterol filled processed foods, Oliver hopes to “get people cooking again. I believe [a family gains ] incredible power [comes by] cooking from scratch.”
But, Oliver’s ideas of teaching simplistic cooking mean spending about 15 minutes for preparation are not arbitrary. He does not foresee total elimination of fast food or processed foods. Hardees has agreed to work with him on looking for “healthier choices” as menu additions.
While improving food selections at groceries, restaurants and schools would broaden choices, he recognized that “America is capitalism at its best.” He can introduce all types of alternatives, but if they do not sell at stores and restaurants, the items will not remain available.
A pediatrician told the group about the limited lifespan for an eight-year-old youngster brought to his office 80 pounds overweight and suffering from Type II diabetes. A well known physician told that the “unhealthiest city” designation came as a shock and has many declaring a desire to change. A pastor told of visiting hospitals where he daily sees the “effects of 20 to 30 years of poor diets.” He issued a challenging trumpet call, “rise up, attack [obesity] and brother you lead the way.”
Chef Oliver acknowledged that the group at the meeting were mostly those leader mover and shaker types who want to motivate change. “This town can be open minded, but we have to get the masses” to participate.
The first ‘official’ event will be Friday, Sept. 11, 2009 at 1 p.m.. opposite Pullman Square. He will be offering free cooking classes and warned, “you’ll see the smoke coming out of the windows.” He calls the venue a “food information area,” where those “lost” and “overweight” can find options and education.
Actually, councilman Scott Caserta may have cynically hit the challenge: Find a way to make my biscuits and gravy nutritious, he said after the town meeting.
Oliver hopes that parental anger instilled from their students who may learn to complain about salty and buttery foods will help move the mountains. Ultimately, though, Oliver has giant hurdles, probably, the greatest of which relates to the economic realities of food choices. Organic foods are healthier but cost more. Often, so do salads and other veggie meals at restaurants.
The famed chef indicated that he wants to become “friends” with “families” and thereby learn from their routine(s) how to introduce change. He may have to take a lesson from the filmmakers of “We Are Marshall,” though. Knowing that they had to convince the town to allow them to shoot the inspirational true story of the football team rising from the ashes of a plane crash (and facing similar fears of Hollywood stereotypes), McG broke some cardinal rules in filmmaking --- he opened most exterior sets for anyone to watch and he worked the crowd in between takes.
By acknowledging the need to convey “my word is my bond,” the filmmakers won over opposition, even if it did require a few extra steps or putting up with onlookers. He involved the town in “their movie,” particularly with the mass extra scenes on campus such as the one at the memorial fountain that completes “WAM,” which , incidentally, the director had to stand up to financial barons who thought they could save some bucks by not shooting that scene.
The “naked chef” will be in town raising awareness for the next two or three months. For Huntington to improve its obesity rating, though, “it’s about finding local ambassadors of change to spread good vibs” and continue spreading them after Oliver is gone and the unscripted show which will not be “sparkly” or “pretty” airs in about 120 countries.
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) -- Skeptics aside. Based on the turnout at the Wednesday night Town Meeting at Huntington City Hall, Chef Jamie Oliver is the real deal in his quest to help teach those of us in the Tri State to eat better.
 |
.jpg) |
.jpg) |
.jpg) |
Quickly seeking to dispel qualms about the “hillbilly” stereotype, Oliver stated, “I’m a foreigner… I don’t get any of the North, South, East and West thing. I don’t know what a hillbilly is.”
But, he does know what a Hillbilly Hot Dog and a giant burger tastes like.
Introduced by Mayor Kim Wolfe who said the shooting of the untitled Jamie Oliver Show has generated a level of “buzz” not experienced since the shooting of the Marshall movie. Wolfe added that Oliver’s campaign will add a plank to his own goals for Huntington --- “a safer, cleaner and healthier city,” Wolfe said.
Oliver quickly revealed that he and his crew will be “staying here two or three months” trying to “get under the skin of the [eating] problems” (translation: Obesity) in our area by working with schools, churches , families and restaurants.
The chef recognized the issue that several audience members explained --- often all the choices presented are unhealthy and/or the healthy options are too expensive.
For instance, seven-year-old Sophia Necco brought a poster that depicted what items were on the school lunch menu at Chesapeake Elementary School. The menu ranges from corn dogs and hamburgers to hot dogs and funnel cakes.
Oliver explained that his reasoning for starting at the school lunch level is that “this could be the first generation where kids teach parents.” He agreed that “Everyone has been affected by bad habits,” which contribute to obesity. Yet, children are the agents of change if they can be taught what’s healthy and unhealthy to eat.
One audience member pointed out that restaurants offer large servings, so you feel you have to eat all to get your money’s worth. For that matter, how many mothers and fathers told their children to eat everything on their plate?
To sway people from cholesterol filled processed foods, Oliver hopes to “get people cooking again. I believe [a family gains ] incredible power [comes by] cooking from scratch.”
But, Oliver’s ideas of teaching simplistic cooking mean spending about 15 minutes for preparation are not arbitrary. He does not foresee total elimination of fast food or processed foods. Hardees has agreed to work with him on looking for “healthier choices” as menu additions.
While improving food selections at groceries, restaurants and schools would broaden choices, he recognized that “America is capitalism at its best.” He can introduce all types of alternatives, but if they do not sell at stores and restaurants, the items will not remain available.
A pediatrician told the group about the limited lifespan for an eight-year-old youngster brought to his office 80 pounds overweight and suffering from Type II diabetes. A well known physician told that the “unhealthiest city” designation came as a shock and has many declaring a desire to change. A pastor told of visiting hospitals where he daily sees the “effects of 20 to 30 years of poor diets.” He issued a challenging trumpet call, “rise up, attack [obesity] and brother you lead the way.”
Chef Oliver acknowledged that the group at the meeting were mostly those leader mover and shaker types who want to motivate change. “This town can be open minded, but we have to get the masses” to participate.
The first ‘official’ event will be Friday, Sept. 11, 2009 at 1 p.m.. opposite Pullman Square. He will be offering free cooking classes and warned, “you’ll see the smoke coming out of the windows.” He calls the venue a “food information area,” where those “lost” and “overweight” can find options and education.
Actually, councilman Scott Caserta may have cynically hit the challenge: Find a way to make my biscuits and gravy nutritious, he said after the town meeting.
Oliver hopes that parental anger instilled from their students who may learn to complain about salty and buttery foods will help move the mountains. Ultimately, though, Oliver has giant hurdles, probably, the greatest of which relates to the economic realities of food choices. Organic foods are healthier but cost more. Often, so do salads and other veggie meals at restaurants.
The famed chef indicated that he wants to become “friends” with “families” and thereby learn from their routine(s) how to introduce change. He may have to take a lesson from the filmmakers of “We Are Marshall,” though. Knowing that they had to convince the town to allow them to shoot the inspirational true story of the football team rising from the ashes of a plane crash (and facing similar fears of Hollywood stereotypes), McG broke some cardinal rules in filmmaking --- he opened most exterior sets for anyone to watch and he worked the crowd in between takes.
By acknowledging the need to convey “my word is my bond,” the filmmakers won over opposition, even if it did require a few extra steps or putting up with onlookers. He involved the town in “their movie,” particularly with the mass extra scenes on campus such as the one at the memorial fountain that completes “WAM,” which , incidentally, the director had to stand up to financial barons who thought they could save some bucks by not shooting that scene.
The “naked chef” will be in town raising awareness for the next two or three months. For Huntington to improve its obesity rating, though, “it’s about finding local ambassadors of change to spread good vibs” and continue spreading them after Oliver is gone and the unscripted show which will not be “sparkly” or “pretty” airs in about 120 countries.
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
