The twin cities were the NSW finalists in a competition to get the celebrity British chef to set up a kitchen for 12 months as part of his Ministry of Food initiative.

Oliver, pictured, announced the South Australian town Port Noarlunga had instead won at his Redfern restaurant 15 yesterday.

North Albury mother Cathy Giltrap, who was there for the announcement, said she hoped to still get the kitchen on the Border with the help of corporate backing.

“It was very close,” she said.

“Jamie said at one stage they considered rolling a dice.

“He was brought to tears from some of the applications.”

Ms Giltrap said she wasn’t disappointed and thought it was possible to have the kitchen up and running within three months considering the overwhelming community support.

The kitchen’s aim is to educate people on food nutrition to counteract Australia’s high obesity rates.