UCB's Bluebell Wood welcomes high-profile visitors | News

November 2025

Chelmsley Wood's Bluebell Wood eatery welcomes high-profile visitors

By Claire Huggins

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Only open to the public for three weeks, University College Birmingham’s new culinary school and eatery at Chelmsley Wood, have already welcomed a number of high-profile guests and secured the highest environmental health rating of 5 (very good).

Earlier this week, in partnership with John Stewart (Cooking & Food Prep Product Manager) from Hobart UK (a global market leader for commercial dishwasher and warewash systems), the team out at Chelmsley Wood welcomed celebrity chef, Lisa Goodwin-Allen.
A regular face on James Martin’s Saturday Morning show as well as appearing on the Great British Menu, Lisa is the Chef Patron-Director for the Michelin-starred Northcote hotel and restaurant in the Ribble Valley.

Leading a master cookery session, alongside UCB chef lecturer Dan Androne and supported by Teagan Fearon, Lisa took the Chelmsley Starters students out of their comfort zones, testing their skills and knowledge and giving them a taste of prestige hospitality, supported by the industry-standard equipment and facilities on site.

Main photo L-R: Dan Androne, Teagan Fearon, Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Adam Pickett and John Stewart

Lisa Goodwin-Allen works with the Chelmsley Starters students

"Around 80 per cent of our students live in Solihull, we’re so easy to get to. It’s only been two months since our first cohort started and they’ve already shown their passion for cooking."

Adam Pickett Interim Head of Further Education College of Food and Tourism and Chef Lecturer

Earlier this month, students and staff hosted members of Solihull Council’s Employment and Skills Team.

Having supported the culinary school Chelmsley Starters (and its sister eatery Bluebell Wood) from the ground up, Councillors Karen Grinsell (Leader of Solihull Council and Cabinet Member for Children & Education) and Heather Delaney (Portfolio Holder for Economy, Business and Skills) were keen to see the project come to fruition.
“The school gives our young people an excellent introduction to hospitality, helping them to stay in education while preparing them for a rewarding career,” said Karen.
“It’s changing lives and opening up new opportunities for our young people, right in the heart of the community. Great work by our team and UCB!”

L-R: Karen Grinsell, Luca, Evie, Nathan, Adam Pickett and Heather Delaney

Students Evie, Luca and Nathan are on the one-year programme for 16-18-year-olds. Every term, they switch sections from prepping food to front of house, so that they can get a taste of every role in a restaurant. It made them particularly proud when they served their families.

“I heard about the programme from my Careers Adviser back in secondary school. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, and we had been looking at different options for some time,” explains Nathan.

“This programme seemed interesting as it’s not in a classroom all the time and I can get a qualification out of it, so I signed up. Now that I am learning how everything works in the industry, I hope that I can open my own restaurant one day.”

Councillor Delaney was taken with how much progress the students had made: “It was great to see the young people I met at the enrolment day two months ago, now working in the eatery with confidence,” she said.

“Just like in the kitchen, it's teamwork with our schools, colleges and employers that create opportunities for residents. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re interested in cooking or starting a career in hospitality.”

"It’s changing lives and opening up new opportunities for our young people, right in the heart of the community. Great work by our team and UCB!"

Karen Grinsell Leader of Solihull Council and Cabinet Member for Children & Education

This is just the start of things to come for the Chelmsley Starters students, as they head into a busy Christmas season and prepare to welcome shoppers, residents and visitors through the doors of Bluebell Wood.

Adam Pickett, the University’s Interim Head of Further Education College of Food and Tourism is keen for the word to spread among local young people and anyone aged 19+, who might be wanting to get back into the workplace and boost their skills: “Around 80 per cent of our students live in Solihull, we’re so easy to get to. It’s only been two months since our first cohort started and they’ve already shown their passion for cooking,” he said.

“If you’re ruling yourself out because you’ve not got a GCSE Level 4/C in maths and English, we’re here to help and we can help you achieve the level needed to secure your dream careers and next steps. “I’m happy with how we are engaging with the community through the fully funded training, and confident we’re developing a quality workforce for the industry.”

Register your interest in a course here.