MICHELIN-starred chef Glynn Purnell cooked up a storm when he dropped in on pupils at Castlewoods School in Smiths Wood on Monday.
Castlewoods is the only specialist school in Solihull for youngsters with social and emotional challenges but the super chef soon won the pupils over with a dazzling display of culinary expertise.
Not only that but he quickly got them cooking too on a cordon bleu version of that firm favourite macaroni cheese – and much more.
“One of the members of staff had contacted Glynn asking if he could visit us and he immediately agreed,” said deputy head Chris White.
“That was before the pandemic which obviously upset everything, but he stuck to his word and came along to see us.”
Chris said the youngsters sometimes have difficulty dealing with outsiders but Glynn, who grew up in Chelmsley Wood, straight away struck up a rapport with the youngsters.
“He worked with the students thinking about doing catering at college and quickly won them over,” said Chris.
“They did macaroni cheese all together and invited some to his restaurant so they could see the life of a chef in a busy kitchen.
“He is a really positively guy and the kids really responded well to him – they left buzzing.”
Chris added that many students at Castlewoods often prefer going on to do more ‘hands on’ careers like building work, motor mechanics and catering and as a school they are always on the look out for positive role models to inspire the youngsters.
“People don’t have to be famous, in fact we had to tell the students just how famous Glynn is,” he said.
“We need good role models who went to school, found some of it good and some of it bad and describe how they ended up in their profession.
“We would welcome anyone who is positive and wants to inspire.”
