Jamie Oliver Fires Up His L.A. Food Revolution

by Nichol Nelson, Posted Jan 11th 2011 @ 4:00PM

Jamie Oliver Photo: Holly Farrell, ABC / AP Photo

Skinny starlets, buff surfers, frolicking beachgoers -- on the surface, Los Angeles might not appear to be a logical choice for a health makeover. After all, this is a salads-and-sushi town. But as Jamie Oliver knows, much of Tinseltown's population is more familiar with the city's donut shops, taco trucks, and hamburger joints than its dainty spa cuisine. Oliver, a self-appointed guardian of America's health, intends to put an end to the overindulgence. Tomorrow, he's opening a new community kitchen for the second season of "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" in Los Angeles's tony Westwood neighborhood. The outpost, called Jamie's Kitchen, is where he'll show Angelenos how to cook his way. (All while cameras are rolling, natch.)

Truth is, it used to be easy to pick on Jamie Oliver. After all, this was a guy who hosted a show called "The Naked Chef." But Oliver has morphed from a slightly goofy twentysomething television star into an international food mogul with a tireless enthusiasm for do-gooder projects both here in America and across the pond. Last year, he set up camp in Huntington, West Virginia and tried to convince the locals to ditch processed food and learn to cook. The show, which featured tearful confessionals from overweight teens as well as altercations between newly motivated residents and those who clung to their deep fryers, won an Emmy, and Oliver is back for season two.

Will Los Angeles embrace a healthier outlook, or cling to the processed foods they've grown accustomed to? To Oliver's credit, his mission seems to be authentic. Although "Food Revolution" raised his visibility, he didn't abandon his following in Huntington when the season ended -- the community kitchen he set up in the city's downtown center is still operational. And he's tireless on Twitter, cheerleading for his followers to join his "revolution."

One thing is certain: When Oliver goes whole-hog on a project, he gets results. His "Feed Me Better" campaign in the UK led the British government to add $1 billion to the school food budget. Yes, that's $1 BILLION. So don't underestimate his success in Los Angeles -- as any movie buff will tell you, those are great returns.

Stay tuned tomorrow for a sneak peak of Jamie's Kitchen in Westwood.

Watch this Slashfood interview with Jamie about his new L.A. venture.

Filed Under: Celebrities, Chefs, Events
Tags: jamie oliver, jamie olivers food revolution

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-12-2011 @11:17AM newsy1 said... I watched most of the first season and really liked it. Boy, many of those people really resented his interference, especially the crew that made the food for the school lunch program. They were more inclined to throw tator tots on a cookie sheet, throw em' in the oven and call it lunch. I can only imagine what this season will bring. I like how he doesn't try to make these changes in an arrogant manner at all, but truly seems concerned about people's health. I found the first season entertaining. http://newsy1.wordpress.com
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1-18-2011 @4:10AM josephgalindo said... OMG!! Thank you sooooo much!! I've been searching everywhere for that song and I love it so much! That was the coolest dance they did too! Thanks Again!!
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