Top Birmingham chef Glyn Purnell in TV finals

Apr 4 2008 By Paul Fulford

BRUMMIE chef Glynn Purnell has spoken of his "giantkilling" joy at winning a spot in the national final of the Great British Menu.

The Blues fan beat star chef Sat Bains in the week-long Midland regional final which reached its conclusion on BBC2 last night.

The series' three judges all favoured Glynn's menu over that prepared by his pal Sat, who cooks in Nottingham.

Glynn, chef and proprietor of Purnell's restaurant in the city centre, prepared four innovative and startling dishes celebrating Birmingham's rich multi-cultural background.

First came a rabbit, pea and black olive trifle with rabbit and caramel lollipops.

Then came a fish course of noodles made from pike flesh served with enoki mushrooms, cauliflower, herbs and miso - a dish which Glynn admits will never again see the light of day.

Afterwards he prepared a piece of veal coated in liquorice ash and served with a tamarind jus.

Finally he presented a hollowed-out egg filled with custard, given a brulee top and served with strawberries and tarragon.

At stake was a place competing against some of Britain's greatest chefs in the national final to be screened next month.

The public will get the opportunity to vote for four dishes to be served at a glittering banquet at London's iconic Gherkin building hosted by super-chef Heston Blumenthal.

Chelmsley Wood lad Glynn, 33, who won a Michelin star for his cooking at Jessica's restaurant in Edgbaston, is urging Brummies to vote for his dishes. He said he was stunned that he beat Sat, who was a runaway success in last year's series.

"It was a giantkilling act - like Birmingham City beating Manchester United," said Glynn, a Blues fan.

Purnell's is at 55 Cornwall Street, Birmingham. Phone 0121 212 9799 or visit www.purnellsrestaurant.com