Glynn Purnell
Glynn Purnell | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth year and age Chelmsley Wood, Solihull, England |
| Occupation(s) | Chef, restaurateur, television presenter |
| Known for | Michelin starred restaurants Jessica's and Purnell's |
Glynn Purnell (born January 1975) is a renowned English chef, restaurateur, and television figure originating from Solihull. Previously the head chef at Jessica's, he currently operates The Mount by Glynn Purnell and Plates by Purnell, having served as head chef at Purnell's until 2024. Both Jessica's and Purnell's were awarded a Michelin star.
Early life
Born in Chelmsley Wood, a substantial council estate located in northern Solihull, Purnell has been described by the Birmingham Post as "undoubtedly the finest chef to emerge from Chelmsley Wood." He refers to himself as the "Yummy Brummie." His father was employed in a factory, while his mother worked as a dinner lady. One of four siblings, he started cooking at a young age, preparing basic meals for his brothers and sisters. At age 14, he gained initial kitchen experience through a work placement at the Metropole Hotel near Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre, where he subsequently completed a six-year apprenticeship after finishing school.
Chef
Purnell launched his fine dining career in 1996 at Simpsons restaurant in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, serving as chef de partie under Andreas Antona. He enhanced his skills by working alongside prominent chefs such as Gordon Ramsay and Gary Rhodes and undertook training in culinary hubs including Lyon, Montpellier, and the Basque region. By 2002, he held the position of sous chef at Claude Bosi's Hibiscus in Ludlow.
In 2003, he assumed the role of head chef at Jessica's in Edgbaston, Birmingham. Under his leadership, the establishment secured Birmingham’s inaugural Michelin star in 2005 and was honored as English Restaurant of the Year by the AA.
After departing Jessica's in 2007, Purnell launched his namesake restaurant in Birmingham city centre. This venue earned a Michelin star in 2009 and received accolades such as the AA Restaurant of the Year and Square Meal Best Restaurant of the Year awards.
In 2010, he revealed plans for a second site, The Asquith, located in Edgbaston; however, it ceased operations in 2011 following a dispute with the landlord and was subsequently repurposed for residential use. Following this, Purnell established The Mount by Glynn Purnell, a gastropub situated in Henley-in-Arden, along with Plates by Purnell’s, a tapas-focused eatery based in Birmingham.
Due to a downturn in reservations, Purnell’s primary restaurant closed its doors in October 2024, leading to customer dissatisfaction related to invalid vouchers.
Television
Purnell frequently appears as a presenter and chef on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen. His television roles also include judging on Come Dine With Me - Champion of Champions and participating in programs such as Secret Kitchen and Great British Menu. In 2017, he hosted 40 episodes during the third series of My Kitchen Rules.
Books
In 2014, Purnell published Cracking Yolks & Pig Tales, which combines recipes with autobiographical anecdotes. This was followed by two additional cookbooks: Rib Ticklers and Choux-ins (2016) and A Purnell's Journey: There and Back Again (2020). He has also written two children’s books titled The Magical Adventures of Whoops the Wonder Dog (2018) and Arnold the Alpaca (2021).
Personal life
Purnell is a father to three children.