Tickling the taste buds of all... bar singer Donny!
AFTER his successful performances hosting BBC show Saturday Kitchen, Purnell’s chef Glynn Purnell has a new TV show airing early next year.
Secret Chef on ITV will see Glynn teaching a complete novice to cook in the hope that by the end of the training, they can prepare a lavish meal for all their friends and family – entirely from scratch.
The Michelin-starred chef who recently released his second cookbook, Rib Ticklers & Choux-Ins, told us: “This was probably the most difficult TV job I’ve had. I’ve taught my children to chop vegetables and help out in the kitchen – and they are better cooks than the person I was teaching.
“It was quite frustrating. It proved to be an emotional journey for both of us but it was worth it.”
Glynn who lives in north Warwickshire with partner Kerry and three children – Oliver, Esme and Vincent – is now one of the most in-demand TV chefs after regular presenting stints on BBC show Saturday Kitchen which he will be hosting again on November 12 and a recent appearance on Channel Four show Sunday Brunch.
But despite praise for his natural on screen charm, he admits TV is hardly smooth sailing.
“I’m never going to be Graham Norton or Jonathan Ross. And I don’t want to be. I was hugely flattered that the BBC asked me to guest-present Saturday Kitchen after James Martin left. I think of the people watching while eating their cornflakes and I don’t want it to be boring.
“I wasn’t as happy with my performance the last time I presented but I think I was being over critical of myself ”
The last show in July with guest Denise Welch and Nadiya Hussain had its share of “awkward moments”.
But it’s nothing Glynn hasn’t experienced before.
“I remember one show a couple of years ago when Donny Osmond was on – a massive star and I was cooking for him. Donny absolutely can’t stand seafood – especially scallops.
“Well no one told me just how much he hated scallops which is what I cooked. And he spat it out on TV. I just stood there feeling like an absolute sausage!
“I’m first and foremost the chef at Purnell’s. But I do enjoy the presenting and would love to continue. The only thing that would make me not want to do it is Twitter trolls.
“What I hate is that they would never say those things to my face because obviously their lights out!”
Away from his TV work, the Chelmsley Wood-born chef who also owns Purnell’s Bistro restaurant has now got two cookbooks to add to his bulging CV.
Glynn’s latest book is a move away from the fancier recipes in his first book, Cracking Yolks & Pig Tales.
There are recipes for chilli, lemon and rosemary popcorn, salt and pepper chicken wings and even chicken nuggets “or goujons if you prefer – depending on what side of Solihull you’re from”.
“My kids love chicken nuggets like most kids. Chicken rolled in breadcrumbs with a spicy mayonaise – sounds so simple but is so delicious.
These seemingly easy peasy recipes can be found in a chapter called “take-away, take time, nibble and bites”.
The chapter is prefaced with a rude but funny story – true to Glynn’s cheeky humour.
“Once upon a time there were two bulls in a field – an old bull and a young bull. The young bull said to the old bull, ‘Let’s run down the hill and make love to one of those cows’. The old bull replied, ‘Let’s walk down there and make love to them all’.
“The moral of the story is to take your time! And that’s the essence of what cooking should be.
“The cooking part should be savoured and enjoyed as much as the eating and drinking with friends part.”
Well no one told me just how much he hated scallops which is what I cooked. And he spat it out on TV
I would punch
Glynn on his encounter with singer Donny Osmond