Jammie Olivers American road trip

I decided to watch Jammie's new series not just see how he found "American" food but to also see how he portrayed America to the British public.

The first show began in gangland California and centered around Mexican food. A curious place to begin, but, it's early days and perhaps Jammie is going to explore the patchwork quilt that America is made of. For now, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and I liked the first show.

There was one bit of irony that I hope the British public caught as Jammie did not highlight it. Perhaps he missed it.

A major part of the show centered on a former gang member who had lost his uncle to gang violence. As they cooked the man and Jammie were joined by two other men; one was in a wheel chair and had lost fingers to gang violence. Jammie mentioned the "American dream" and one of the men replied something to the effect, you won't find any American dream around here. However, the former gang member cooking with Jammie was earlier described as having left gang life, gone back to school to be a chef and was now cooking for the stars in LA. The idea that no matter what your background, no matter what you've done in the past and your upbringing, if you want to and work hard you can make it in America - that is the American dream. This man was proof of that. A shame Jammie may have missed the most important lesson of his trip.