Chef lecturer flies the flag

Chef lecturer and Assistant Dean Hospitality Operations, John Penn, is all set to take a taste of Birmingham to the United States when he spends a week at a Gourmet Twin Cities culinary event in Chicago later this month.

John will work alongside top US chef, Michael Pivoney at the Chicago Gourmet event which will bring together chefs from all of Chicago’s worldwide twin cities, of which Birmingham is one.

During the visit John will help prepare for the Gala opening night reception, give cooking demonstrations at the World of Flavours Exhibition and take part in a cook-off with fellow sister-city chefs.

He will also meet with chef lecturers from Chicago's Kendall College and demonstrate a selection of fine dining and pub style dishes from the Atrium and Cap and Gown restaurants here at University College Birmingham.

"I am very excited to be part of this important twinning visit, helping to showcase the fantastic culinary scene of Birmingham. It will give me an excellent opportunity to talk about how our chef students are trained and gather ideas and recipes from fellow twin city chefs which I can share with the students when I return" said John.