CHH announces sponsorship to continue work of Jamie's Kitchen in downtown Huntington
Last updated: 11/25/2009
Cabell Huntington Hospital has announced a $50,000 sponsorship of Jamie's Kitchen, the community kitchen that has been the center for activity during filming for celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's reality television show. Jamie's Kitchen, located across from Pullman Square along Third Avenue in Huntington, has been the site of healthy cooking demonstrations and cooking classes throughout the show's filming. Ebenezer Medical Outreach, Inc., will take over management of Jamie's Kitchen beginning Dec. 1, and will operate with the help of donations. Cabell Huntington Hospital's donation of $50,000 will be used to continue the cooking classes and healthy initiatives started with Oliver's "Food Revolution."
"Jamie's Kitchen has tremendous potential to improve eating habits and the overall health of our community," said Brent A. Marsteller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cabell Huntington Hospital. "We are very pleased to join with Ebenezer Medical Outreach, Jamie Oliver and the entire Huntington area to work together to prevent many of the problems associated with unhealthy eating."
"Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" will air on ABC Television in early 2010 and is designed to help Huntington residents change the way they eat.
"Cabell Huntington Hospital's donation has made all the difference," Oliver said. "I admire Cabell Huntington for seeing this opportunity and jumping on board. This kitchen has been the hub of activity. It is such a wonderful resource."
Yvonne Jones, executive director of Ebenezer Medical Outreach Inc., said the kitchen will be maintained as part of Ebenezer's Healthy Lifestyle - Healthy Life Program. Participants in the cooking classes set to begin in December will be asked to contribute a $10 donation per class, if possible, to help with the sustainability of the kitchen, Jones said.
"Good nutrition is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle, and we realize the importance of a healthy lifestyle for the good of the community as a whole," Jones said. "We wanted to take this opportunity we have with this kitchen to try to change Huntington into a more healthy city. We are so thankful that Cabell Huntington Hospital has agreed to partner with us on this endeavor because a healthy lifestyle is something the hospital has been promoting. Now, we are just combining our efforts to make this a healthy Tri-State. This excites me tremendously because I look at it as a real opportunity. Huntington is trying to redefine itself and this is that opportunity."