Jamie Oliver backs Eden Project garden for RHB Chelsea People's Choice Award

Chef and campaigner Jamie Oliver visited the Eden Project Bring Me Sunshine Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show this morning, praising its focus on growing food, sustainability and creating new career pathways for young people.

He also urged the public to back the garden as voting opens for the prestigious BBC/RHS People’s Choice Award at 2pm today.

Created to mark the Eden Project’s 25th anniversary year, the garden offers the first glimpse of Eden Project Morecambe, opening in 2028.

Inspired by the landscapes and communities of Morecambe Bay, the garden has been designed by Harry Holding and Alex Michaelis and co-created with young adults from Morecambe. It combines immersive coastal planting, edible planting and innovative sustainable materials.

Jamie spent time exploring the garden’s planting and admiring the dramatic shell-shaped structure which serves as an outdoor learning space.

Jamie said: “It’s stunning in every possible way. It’s got natural beauty but also the most incredible sense of design and architecture. The use of light and the abundance of natural product within the structure is absolutely beautiful.

“But of course I love it because nearly all of this is edible - which is amazing. You’ve got samphire, fennel, herbs and so much throughout the garden.

“When you’re working with young people, it’s just the best thing in the world. Nature is a beautiful thing, but when you get kids designing and creating spaces, they’re so incredibly creative and unrestrained.

“I love the vision and I love everything the Eden Project represents. As it grows around the world and now in Morecambe. This is amazing. I’m in awe.

“Without question, if you want to vote for one of these incredible gardens for the People’s Choice Award - come on guys, the Eden Project is a beautiful thing. To see it in the flesh is amazing. Get voting.”

Andy Jasper, CEO of Eden Project, said: “It was fantastic to welcome Jamie to the garden and share our vision for Eden Project Morecambe.

“Creating opportunities for young people is at the heart of this project - from green careers and food growing to creativity, technology and community engagement.

“We want this to be a place that inspires the next generation and helps Morecambe flourish for decades to come.

“We’d love people to get behind the garden and vote for us in the People’s Choice Award. This garden is all about Morecambe, its people and its future - and every vote helps us share that story with even more people.”

Following RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the garden will relocate permanently to Morecambe where it will become part of a free public community garden and outdoor learning space ahead of Eden Project Morecambe opening in 2028.

The Chelsea garden has been made possible thanks to match-funding from grant-making charity Project Giving Back.

The RHS/BBC People’s Choice Award opens at 2pm today (Wednesday 20 May) and closes tomorrow (Thursday 21 May) at 8pm. The winner will be announced on Friday at 3pm. To cast your vote, visit the BBC website.

Vote for the Eden Project Bring Me Sunshine Garden in the BBC/RHS Peoples’ Choice Award at www.rhs.org.uk.