 "Photo: Photo Courtesy of Daniel Halloway")
Being named the fattest city in America isn’t giving Huntington the best reputation, and with stigmas already in place for the state, it’s a harsh reality.
Food Network star Jamie Oliver has set up shop in Pullman Square to help Huntington residents start preparing healthier foods themselves.
“I’m not even sure if it’s about the fattest actually,” Oliver said. “I think the CDC report was talking about a whole load of diet related diseases of which obesity is one of them.”
Oliver made a guest appearance on “Up Late” with Jamie LoFiego Tuesday morning. The studio is located in the communications building and is also used for student-produced shows including “MU Report” and “Up to the Minute”.
With his camera crew in tow, the studio was complete chaos as Oliver’s crew and the “Up Late” crew fought for space in an already cramped area. A lot of hustle and bustle was created as cameras and studio equipment were being moved around as much as the people were.
After the waivers were signed for audience members, the show got underway. Oliver proceeded to try and teach LoFiego how to make a quick stir-fry meal while explaining how easy it is to cook a delicious meal on a budget.
“I was born into food,” Oliver said. “I’ve done various campaigns in England and I’m passionate about people regardless of the country. And I’ve got probably the only opportunity in the next twenty years, in my belief, to have a prime time network show tell the story about the way we treat food and how that impacts on people’s lives.”
Oliver said cooking should be a fun way to get together with friends and family and impress the ladies. He also said it was a good way to stay in shape.
“You need to eat 3 times a day for the rest of your life, you might as well be good at it,” Oliver said. “It’s just as important as any qualification you’re getting at University. You’ll probably use the skills more.”
Students showed up for the taping of “Up Late” to see the star in action and find out what he was all about.
“I really enjoyed watching the show and after seeing it I really want to go get a cooking lesson at his shop downtown,” said junior Alyssa Adkins.
Oliver has been in Huntington working on his show for a few months and he has had to deal with some negative attitudes along the way.
“One of the problems I’ve had is you know really its some of the most respected and defensive people that I’ve come up against are the people who run the hospitals,” Oliver said. ”I understand a kind of personal issue with the fact that I’m here is kind of amplifying the problem. But if you look at facts there is a problem and I know my heart is in the right place.”
Oliver said although he has run into a few obstacles, he has met some very kind people along the way, and has enjoyed his time here.
“This place has been great for us,” Oliver said. “I love it here. I’m really happy here. I’ve been here so much it sort of feels like home. The people are amazing and the stories that we’re telling are like really inspiring.”
Oliver said there aren’t many revolutions that don’t have problems or issues. He said he knows what he is doing is making a difference.
“What I do is about helping local people really fix things quick,” Oliver said. “That’s what I’ve done for seven years and the stuff that I’ve done works.”
Gov. Joe Manchin has made him an honorary citizen of West Virginia and Oliver said he is really proud of that. He said he guarantees that when he goes on “Jay Leno” and “The Late Show With David Letterman” that he will be Huntington’s spokesman.
Meghann Ferguson can be contacted at ferguson121@marshall.edu.
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