Jamie Oliver scoops Government award

Jamie Oliver has received the Government's honorary Millennium Volunteer of the Year award for his work at his London restaurant, Fifteen.

Oliver, who ploughed his own money into setting up the restaurant, took on 15 people to train as chefs.

The project gained much publicity from the Channel 4 series, Jamie's Kitchen.

Oliver said he said he was "thrilled" to receive the award. "It's brilliant to be recognised by Millennium Volunteers as it is such an important initiative," he said.

Ivan Lewis, minister for skills and vocational education said that Oliver had demonstrated to a massive audience how volunteering can make a difference to the lives of young people.

"I hope more will now follow Jamie's lead," he said.

Millennium Volunteers, a Department for Education and Skills initiative, was launched four years ago. Previous recipients of the accolade are Prince William and Davina McCall.

by Christina Golding

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