Jamie Oliver launches Aussie Ministry of Food

Jamie Oliver has launched a Ministry of Food in Australia.

The celebrity chef, who opened the original food education programme in Rotherham in 2009, has already signed up over 1,000 people in his latest venture in the Queensland town of Ipswich.

English-born, Australian-raised television chef Ben O'Donoghue, who used to work with Oliver in England, has been named as the ambassador for the programme.

He told AAP: "I've known Jamie since we worked together at the River Cafe in the UK and he's always been a wonderfully generous bloke, as evidenced with these incredible initiatives and, like me, extremely passionate about celebrating great food.

"Any way to help people get back to the basics in the kitchen, shop for fresh food and understand how it can actually save your household money is something we need to embrace and promote. Jamie's Ministry of Food echoes my own attitudes inspiring a passion for good, fresh food and simple home cooking can really change people's lives."

The school will offer free cooking lessons, healthy eating education plans and grocery shopping tips.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh will attend the launch, together with Junior MasterChef champion Isabella Bliss.

Oliver revealed last year that he was "proud" to be launching the Aussie Ministry, saying that he hoped it would help with the country's obesity problem.

In January this year, he put plans to open the Ipswich centre on hold in order to feed victims of the Queensland floods instead.