Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver gave approximately two dozen eager students a lesson to remember Wednesday, as he taught them what he knows about cooking a healthy meal.

Oliver, who spearheaded a campaign to improve students’ diets in his native Britain, appeared at a Toronto grocery store as part of the Home Cook Heroes initiative. The program aims to teach young adults and children about the importance of eating a balanced meal.

“It’s not about being purist or perfect,” Oliver told CTV Toronto, speaking outside a Sobeys grocery store in Leaside. “It’s about getting it right most of the time and knowing what certain (foods) do to you, what things are treats, what things are healthy.”

The Home Cook Heroes program was co-developed by Sobeys and Free the Children. In addition to teaching students the importance of following a healthy diet, it also arms students with basic cooking skills so they can help prepare their own meals.

According to a survey conducted by Sobeys, only 18 per cent of Canadians prepare at least one meal a day from scratch.

Oliver has hosted a number of successful cooking shows and has penned a number of bestselling cookbooks. His latest book, “Jamie’s Comfort Food,” is comprised of recipes that are meant to bring the whole family together.

“It’s the food you really want to eat, made exactly how you like it,” a website promoting the book says.

With a report from CTV Toronto’s Heather Wright