Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has won a prestigious US award for his efforts to tackle the obesity epidemic affecting much of the developed world.
The 2010 TED Prize, a $100,000 (£62,445) grant and “an opportunity to realise a wish to change the world”, was awarded to Oliver after he played a major role in pressuring the UK government to invest more resources in the education catering sector.
A TED spokesman said: “Although he is now one of the worlds top celebrity chef’s, his commitment to simple, unpretentious food remains and with it his drive to break people’s unhealthy eating habits and get them cooking again.”
The award recognises Oliver’s use of his own notoriety to encourage healthier eating and lifestyles in Britons and Americans through campaigns such as School Dinners, Ministry of Food and Food Revolution USA.
The prize was set up by TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) which started in 1984 as a conference bringing together people from the three disciplines.
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By Janie Stamford
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