‘Revolutionary’ Foodservice Trends: Electrolux Professional, Jamie Oliver Wage ‘Food Revolution’
ABC has teamed with chef, TV personality and bestselling author Jamie Oliver for an unscripted six-part series that aims to overhaul U.S. school lunch programs.
Launched last Friday, March 26, “Jamie’s Food Revolution,” finds Oliver on-location in Huntington, W.V., which has been dubbed the “unhealthiest city in America,” to start his new cooking initiative to get Huntington off that list and start a chain reaction of positive change across the country.
“The time is right for people to rediscover the sense of pride, satisfaction and fun you can get from cooking for the people you love,” says Oliver. “There’s an incredible community in Huntington, and I want this experience to be a celebration of what we can achieve when people come together. I want to prove that turning around the epidemic of obesity and bad health doesn’t have to be boring or dull in the slightest. Wonderful stories will unfold in Huntington, and hopefully this will inspire the rest of the States.”
A coproduction between Oliver’s own Fresh One Productions and Ryan Seacrest Productions, the series is loosely based on Oliver’s U.K. series, “Jamie’s Ministry of Food” and “Jamie’s School Dinners,” which showcases his successful grassroots efforts improve the school lunches in communities there. Of special note, the latter show resulted in a total overhaul of the U.K.’s school meals program.
Meanwhile back in the states, Oliver is turning his attention to helping people of all ages eat more balanced meals and cook with fresh ingredients, not only at schools, but also homes, workplaces and even restaurants.
Electrolux Professional North America has taken a starring role in the show to provide the equipment for a healthy kitchen in the new community center adjacent to the First Baptist Church in Kenova. The church’s pastor, Steve Willis, is vigorously encouraging residents to become part of the “Healthy Huntington Task Force,” which will identify the residents who are most passionate about revolutionizing the health and wellness of the community.
Working closely with Electrolux Professional, Willis and members of his congregation built the healthy kitchen on behalf of outlying communities and people of all religious denomination, to promote healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle. The community kitchen -- which includes an Electrolux Professional dish machine, refrigerators, S90 Range series and an air-o-convect hybrid convection oven -- is open for the community to use on an ongoing basis for groups upwards of 300 people. What’s more, Electrolux Professional’s certified chef, Keith Jones, conducted all on-site staff training.
“What [Electrolux Professional] has done has been such a blessing to all of us – people are inspired and lives are changing,” explained Pastor Steve. “Chef Keith Jones did a great job training our ladies on our new equipment and our ‘biggest loser’ groups in healthy eating. We already have individuals who have dropped more than 50 pounds, are exercising daily, and eating in a way that takes care of their bodies! I cannot thank [Electrolux Professional] enough,” he added.
Mark Whalen, president of Electrolux Professional North America, said his company was only too happy to help in light of its commitment “to the environment and healthy living in our communities. We are looking forward to further partnerships with Jamie Oliver, Pastor Steve Willis and other American communities looking for an enlightened approach to healthy living, eating and cooking,”.
For more information, visit www.electroluxusa.com/professional.
Launched last Friday, March 26, “Jamie’s Food Revolution,” finds Oliver on-location in Huntington, W.V., which has been dubbed the “unhealthiest city in America,” to start his new cooking initiative to get Huntington off that list and start a chain reaction of positive change across the country.
“The time is right for people to rediscover the sense of pride, satisfaction and fun you can get from cooking for the people you love,” says Oliver. “There’s an incredible community in Huntington, and I want this experience to be a celebration of what we can achieve when people come together. I want to prove that turning around the epidemic of obesity and bad health doesn’t have to be boring or dull in the slightest. Wonderful stories will unfold in Huntington, and hopefully this will inspire the rest of the States.”
A coproduction between Oliver’s own Fresh One Productions and Ryan Seacrest Productions, the series is loosely based on Oliver’s U.K. series, “Jamie’s Ministry of Food” and “Jamie’s School Dinners,” which showcases his successful grassroots efforts improve the school lunches in communities there. Of special note, the latter show resulted in a total overhaul of the U.K.’s school meals program.
Meanwhile back in the states, Oliver is turning his attention to helping people of all ages eat more balanced meals and cook with fresh ingredients, not only at schools, but also homes, workplaces and even restaurants.
Electrolux Professional North America has taken a starring role in the show to provide the equipment for a healthy kitchen in the new community center adjacent to the First Baptist Church in Kenova. The church’s pastor, Steve Willis, is vigorously encouraging residents to become part of the “Healthy Huntington Task Force,” which will identify the residents who are most passionate about revolutionizing the health and wellness of the community.
Working closely with Electrolux Professional, Willis and members of his congregation built the healthy kitchen on behalf of outlying communities and people of all religious denomination, to promote healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle. The community kitchen -- which includes an Electrolux Professional dish machine, refrigerators, S90 Range series and an air-o-convect hybrid convection oven -- is open for the community to use on an ongoing basis for groups upwards of 300 people. What’s more, Electrolux Professional’s certified chef, Keith Jones, conducted all on-site staff training.
“What [Electrolux Professional] has done has been such a blessing to all of us – people are inspired and lives are changing,” explained Pastor Steve. “Chef Keith Jones did a great job training our ladies on our new equipment and our ‘biggest loser’ groups in healthy eating. We already have individuals who have dropped more than 50 pounds, are exercising daily, and eating in a way that takes care of their bodies! I cannot thank [Electrolux Professional] enough,” he added.
Mark Whalen, president of Electrolux Professional North America, said his company was only too happy to help in light of its commitment “to the environment and healthy living in our communities. We are looking forward to further partnerships with Jamie Oliver, Pastor Steve Willis and other American communities looking for an enlightened approach to healthy living, eating and cooking,”.
For more information, visit www.electroluxusa.com/professional.