gistfile1.txt

<div ng-controller="TestCtrl as test">
    <select ng-model="test.selectedItem" ng-options="item as item.name for item in test.items"></select>
    <pre>@{{test.selectedItem | json}}</pre>
</div>



app.controller('TestCtrl', function ($scope) {

    this.items = [
        {id: 1, name: 'foo'},
        {id: 2, name: 'bar'},
        {id: 3, name: 'blah'}
    ];
    this.selectedItem = this.items[0];
});