Oliver launches Sunday-lunch campaign

Jamie Oliver has launched a new campaign to get British families eating a Sunday meal together.

The TV chef has joined forces with Sainsbury’s Magazine and founded the ‘Sit Down Sunday’ appeal to encourage loved-ones to spend quality time together once a week and let “the magic happen”.

He said: “The idea is simple: make a little effort once a week to get together around a table and break bread with your family and friends.

“Doesn’t matter where. Doesn’t matter what time. I’ve always believed that eating together is important because it’s around the table with people you love that the magic happens.

“My dream scenario would be for families to eat together every night, but there’s no point being unrealistic.”

The 34-year-old star – who has three daughters with his with wife Jools, who is pregnant with their fourth child – hopes he can “nudge” family units into spending time together having fun whilst cooking and preparing a meal.

He added: “It needn’t be a full-on roast – you might prefer brunch, a cosy afternoon tea, a stew for dinner, lunch at a country pub or a cracking picnic or barbecue...

“I’d love us to take this further by getting everyone to prepare their meals together, too. And, if you’ve got kids, get them involved as much as possible. I’ve yet to meet a child who couldn’t be persuaded to have fun in the kitchen.”