Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has thrown his support behind a garden showcasing plans for Eden Project Morecambe during a visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
The chef and campaigner toured the Eden Project Bring Me Sunshine Garden on Wednesday morning, praising its focus on sustainability, food growing and opportunities for young people.
He also urged the public to back the exhibit as voting opened for the BBC/RHS People’s Choice Award.
Created to mark the Eden Project’s 25th anniversary, the garden offers a preview of the proposed £100 million Eden Project Morecambe attraction, which is due to open in 2028.
Designed by Harry Holding and Alex Michaelis and co-created with young people from Morecambe, the garden draws inspiration from the landscapes and communities of Morecambe Bay, combining coastal planting with edible produce and innovative sustainable materials.
During his visit, Jamie explored the planting and admired the garden’s striking shell-shaped structure, which is designed as an outdoor learning space.
He said: "It’s stunning in every possible way. It’s got natural beauty but also the most incredible sense of design and architecture.
"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."
He added: "If you want to vote for one of these incredible gardens for the People’s Choice Award – come on, the Eden Project is a beautiful thing.
"Get voting."
Andy Jasper, chief executive of the Eden Project, said it had been "fantastic" to welcome Jamie to the garden.
"Creating opportunities for young people is at the heart of this project – from green careers and food growing to creativity and community engagement," he said.
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"We want this to be a place that inspires the next generation and helps Morecambe flourish for decades to come."
Following the Chelsea Flower Show, the garden will be relocated to Morecambe, where it will form part of a free public community garden and outdoor learning space ahead of the attraction's opening.
Voting for the BBC/RHS People’s Choice Award opened at 2pm on Wednesday and will close at 8pm on Thursday, with the winner due to be announced on Friday.
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