Locals review "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution"
"Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" focuses on Oliver's efforts in Huntington in 2009 to promote healthier eating habits by encouraging food preparation from fresh ingredients. Those efforts were focused on local schools, families and a kitchen to teach people how to cook. Each week, we will have local residents weigh in on the episodes.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Forrest McGuire, 17, is a senior and student body president at Huntington High School, where part of "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" was filmed. He is captain of the Huntington High men's soccer team and a member of the Huntington High swim team. He is an active member in the HHS Young Republicans, Key Club and Student Council. He plans on attending Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in the fall and majoring in business.

Reaction to watching first and second episodes on Friday, March 26:
I feel that right now it is mostly scripted, there is a little bit of his caring for the community but not much. Right now through the first episode the vibe that is being sent off is that it is mostly for the money and just to make his name big though a T.V. show. Maybe later when he actually connects with the people in Huntington and gets closer to them it will turn into something more than just a big money making plan.

What was the second episode’s theme?
It was a little like the first episode's theme which was getting kids to eat healthy, but it had more impact. The impact was made partially due to the fact that he went into the classroom and taught kids what the different vegetables were and brought the parents in to show them what their kids were eating, it sent out a powerful message.

What wasn’t addressed?
His plans on what to do after he successfully accomplishes getting the eating habits better in the elementary school. He mentioned that he wanted to try for other schools but it still seems to remain a mystery how or where he's going to try for that.

How were Huntington/ the school system portrayed?
In a lot better light. They did start out with proving (again) the ignorance of the children in the classroom, which was ridiculous to think that a kid that young would actually know what an eggplant was and then looking at them like they were mentally retarded. The other vegetables I can understand such as the tomatoes but when he pulled out he miscellaneous veggies and expected them to know it right off the bat was a little odd.
But in the end it turned out for the best, the teacher took it upon herself to teach the kids all of the vegetables that Jamie had shown them and also he ended up making peace with the cooks at the end of the show by giving them thank you letters written by the kids.

Any progress made?
A little, there are still a lot that are skeptical and in my eyes it is a little; most likely in Jamie's eyes it was a milestone. Getting the cooks acceptance, being able to go back to the school for the second week and also teaching the kids the different vegetables and giving them knowledge along with healthy food was a big plus. There is still a long ways to go, he has made progress in one small area and affected the school system in the elementary but he hasn't done much at all with the city or the rest of the 50,000 residents to try and change their habits at all.