Lucky foodies to cook with Jamie

Proprietor of The Good Guys Ipswich Mark Timms with Mayor Paul Pisasale at The Ministry of Food at Darcy Doyle Place in the lead-up to Jamie Oliver’s upcoming visit to Ipswich.

Sarah Harvey

Poll

Would you like the opportunity to cook alongside Jamie Oliver?

This poll ended on 29 February 2012.

Yes

77%

No

22%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

SOME lucky Ipswich foodies will get the chance to learn from revolutionary English chef Jamie Oliver in front of a live audience during his visit to Ipswich next month.

Details of Mr Oliver's Ipswich stop on March 3 were revealed yesterday by Mayor Paul Pisasale as his Australian tour comes ever closer.

Mr Oliver will perform a live cooking show in front of 500 fans at d'Arcy Doyle Place at 2pm.

Tickets for the free show were released this morning at 9am on a first in, first served basis.

The class will include 20 fortunate participants made up of Ipswich identities, members of the audience and four competition winners from around Australia who will be flown to Ipswich by The Good Guys.

For those who miss out on tickets, Cr Pisasale said the show would be screened live in the civic centre and on the Good Guys website.

Cr Pisasale said Mr Oliver would spend three hours in Ipswich, including the show and a chance chat with the celebrity chef about future projects.

He said it was a major coup to have Mr Oliver drop in.

"From all the critics who thought we wouldn't get Jamie Oliver. It's a boost to the city for all the hard work. Ipswich is the only place in Australia where Jamie Oliver will have a cooking show," he said.

"Jamie's crusade and dedication to encourage people to get back to basics in the kitchen has been rewarded by the strong support shown by residents eager to learn how to enjoy nutritious food.

"The program is helping to keep alive cooking skills and healthy eating habits."

Cr Pisasale said jibes about Ipswich needing Mr Oliver's help because of its high diabetes rates were uncalled for.

"It's all about good health and nutrition. It's a great asset for the city. We are not a fat city but a smart city and we encourage people to eat well.

"Cooking is fun and a lot more people are taking it on board."

The Good Guys Ipswich proprietor Mark Timms is looking forward to the arrival of Mr Oliver.

"This is an exciting event that will help raise awareness of the good work that the Ministry of Food is doing in our community," Mr Timms said.

"The Good Guys share Jamie's vision for fostering healthy habits and would like to welcome him to Australia."

Jamie's Ministry of Food has welcomed hundreds of curious cooks through its classes since opening last year.

Mr Oliver has been the champion for healthy eating, taking his fight for culinary reforms to British school lunches and most recently the Los Angeles school system.

Originally known as the "Naked Chef", he has opened restaurants all over the world.