Hospital role just speculation, says Naked Chef

Extensive coverage in the national media speculating that Jamie Oliver is to be a consultant on catering in British hospitals has been denied by the TV chef.

Oliver, who shot to fame last year with the televising of the BBC series The Naked Chef, said that he was flattered to be earmarked by a National Health Service task force to improve hospital food, but has yet to be formally approached.

"I think it would be a challenge, but I would prefer to start with school food first," he commented. "We should try and target the young first, but it's not something I can do on my own."

Oliver was not dismissive of the health service role and said that he would be prepared to sit on a board made up of leading chefs from across all sectors of the industry.

He added: "Before any of this can happen we have to have commitment and financial investment from the Government. It can't just happen without some sort of structure in place. I'm only 25, I've got no history, just a love of food. If they are looking for someone with a history of mass-produced food, it's not me."

A Department of Health spokesperson confirmed: "It's certainly our intention to approach top celebrity chefs to get their involvement in NHS menus."

The Government has set aside an extra £10m to deliver its planned improvements to NHS food over the next 10 years and is also holding meetings with Marks & Spencer, Safeway and Sainsbury to discuss using ready-chilled food products in hospitals.

by Amanda Afiya