In 2008, Jamie filmed Jamie’s Ministry of Food in Rotherham for Channel 4 – aiming to bring back lost cookery skills in what was the UK’s most obese area at the time. He was so shocked by the low level of cookery skills he found that he launched the permanent Ministry of Food programme, which continues to teach people to cook to this day.
The eight-week course focuses on instilling basic kitchen and food skills in a fun and engaging way. All classes use Jamie Oliver recipes and resources, specifically developed with nutrition and balance in mind.
The programme uses behaviour change techniques to encourage healthier eating habits. Independent evaluation has shown that the programme has significant positive effects on dietary behaviour, food choice and cooking.
We work with local councils, charities and other partners across the UK, Australia and beyond who deliver the programme in their area. Jamie’s Ministry of Food has reached nearly 90,000 people to date.
We believe that teaching people to cook plays a vital part in the fight against diet-related disease. Jamie set up his Ministry of Food programme to help individuals, families and communities to start cooking again. Once you know how to cook, you have control over your health and the health of your family.
3 generations in the UK have not been taught
BASIC COOKING SKILLS
The UK spends nearly
£30bn a year on takeways
and fast food
58% of women and 65% of men
in the UK are overweight or obese
Children with obese parents are at least
10 times more likely to be obese
NHS England spends £16bn a year
on weight and obesity-related conditions
It works because... Being taught to cook improves diet quality and nutritional knowledge. Cooking skills are a major predictor of people’s ability to make healthy food choices
People who complete the programme...
Cut the number of unhealthy snacks
they eat by 50%
Increase the fruit and veg they eat from
2.7 to 4.4 portions per day
Spend 25% less
on weekly takeaways
Cook at home
20% more regularly
Feel 30% more confident
to follow a recipe
