Never before has a TV chef got more (publicity)

Love him or loathe him, still the controversy rumbles on.... Jamie Oliver, scourge of traditional dinner ladies and Scummy Mummies alike, has been become one of the GQ Men of the Year 2006. He was named Top Chef at this month's champagne-drenched award ceremony, taking the crown from Gordon Ramsey.

No doubt Jamie will also be pleased by a new initiative to issue packed lunch guidelines to parents.

The government will be working with the Schools Food Trust to distribute leaflets over the next few weeks, encouraging us to ensure lunchboxes contain one portion each of vegetables or salad, fruit, a milk or dairy item such as milk, cheese, yoghurt , a protein item such as meat, chicken, fish, eggs, or peanut butter, and a starchy food, such as bread, pasta, rice, noodles or potato.

Obvious baddies such as chocolate, crisps and fizzy drinks are to be discouraged.

The Schools Food trust hopes the leaflets will be seen as helpful rather than patronising. But a spokeswoman for the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA) expressed concern that money was being spent on an expensive leafleting campaign rather than used to help more schools provide a hot midday meal for children.

• Lay Off Parents, Jamie!
• This Week's News
• What Our Members Are Discussing Today