UCB lecturer flies the flag for Birmingham in the US
A chef lecturer from University College Birmingham took a taste of Birmingham to the United States in September when he spent a week at a Gourmet Twin Cities culinary event in Chicago.
John Penn, Assistant Dean, at UCB worked alongside top US chef, Michael Pivoney at the Chicago Gourmet event which brought together chefs from Chicago’s twin cities worldwide.
They produced a four course meal using locally sourced market produce for guests at the Marion Street Cheese Market restaurant. The international chefs also cooked for a Grand Dinner held at Millennium Park, with diners including the Mayor of Chicago and other city VIPs.
John helped develop further links between UCB and Chicago’s Kendal Culinary College via food demonstrations at the World of Flavours Exhibition and plans for exchange visits between the two renowned colleges. He met with chef lecturers from the College to demonstrate a selection of fine dining and pub style dishes from the College of Food’s Atrium and Cap and Gown restaurants.
John says: “I was delighted to be part of this important twinning visit, helping to showcase the fantastic culinary scene of Birmingham. It gave 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 now share with UCB students”.
Tim Manson, Operations and Policy Director at Marketing Birmingham said:
“John’s visit marked Birmingham’s return to Chicago following a successful trip in June where the city headlined the Chicago Sister Cities International Festival, along with leading Birmingham chefs, Luke Tipping and David Colcombe.
“This builds on the successful international relationships Birmingham has developed with other twin cities including Lyon. The city recently hosted four Michelin starred chefs from this prestigious culinary city.”
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For further information please contact:
Jane Smith University College Birmingham 0121 243 0039 or 0797 4184588
Emma Ward Marketing Birmingham 0121 202 5075
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