Ten thousand pounds prize money, 30 episodes, 16 competing couples, two judges and just one Yummy Brummie – it's a recipe that 7wonder is hoping will impress when it serves up a second helping of My Kitchen Rules UK on Channel 4.
Last year’s debut season saw the Aussie import led by chefs Prue Leith and Michael Caines, but with the brand new Bake-Off piling plenty on Prue's plate, the company seized the chance to shake things up by handing over to Dublin's Rachel Allen and Birmingham's own inimitable Glynn Purnell. As filming for the series prepares to start here in the city, we spoke to the local legend about life in the limelight and claiming Birmingham's place on the culinary map.
“I've met Rachel a few times at the Good Food Show,” says Glynn, “and she's been to my Bistro for a few cocktails before - probably a few too many, as you do - but we've never worked together before. We just had a training session yesterday and apparently we work really well on screen together. She's lovely - obviously the better looking of the duo!”
For the benefit of those who've yet to sample its delights, My Kitchen Rules is a kind of marriage of MasterChef and Come Dine With Me. Taking part in pairs, contestants are given fixed budgets and time constraints within which to plan their meals and prep their homes for visitors. Recurring and guest judges are then served home-cooked meals as if eating in a restaurant. In addition to the quality of the food, couples are also judged on presentation, service and décor - which Purnell says should be even more “glamorous” and “spectacular” this year.
While developing a cooking show might seem like entering a market as saturated as a block of butter, there's an extent to which it’s always a safe bet. No matter how much of it might fill their screens, people seem to love looking at amazing food.
“Food is just everything, isn't it? Whether you're eating a sandwich or dining out in a Michelin-star restaurant, it's something that's always on the agenda. It's connected to every occasion - weddings, birthdays, even funerals. It's subjective as well, so what you like and what other people like are completely different, and I think that makes for good television. And whenever you see people making food, it makes you hungry - especially nowadays with the big screens in HD, where you can see every drop of juice.”
With two restaurants to run as well as three young kids at home, adding TV to the mix isn't always easy, but the chef is careful not to bite off more than he can chew.
“It's all about having a balance of doing enough to keep people interested, and making time to stay focused on the restaurant. I’ve been able to set up shoots on my days off, and a lot of the show is filmed in Birmingham, which is fantastic, because it's obviously the centre of the universe. But I probably turn down more TV than I do. It seems like I do a lot, but I think that's just because I'm loud and people remember me more - and maybe partly because I drone on in a Brummie accent!”
It’s largely thanks to Purnell’s influence that the Birmingham food scene has undergone such a radical shift in recent years. With six Michelin-star restaurants - more than any other UK city outside London - as well as thriving indie coffee shops and street food, it’s certainly a far cry from the ‘culinary desert’ that national papers were describing when he started out.
“I think Birmingham's always had a diverse food culture, with things like the Balti Triangle, but it was never really one that people would travel to experience. Twenty years ago, for us to be twinned with Lyon, which is the home of gastronomy in France, it was quite striking. When I opened Jessica's in 2003, almost all the restaurants were chains. I like to think I've contributed quite heavily to the fact that it's become a food destination.”
Amazingly, it's been almost 10 years since Purnell left behind what he’d built up at Jessica's to set up on his own. Now, with his name above the door of two highly successful restaurants and emblazoned on the uniforms of ranks of staff, he's living his childhood dream. There's not much left to check off the list - though he jokes he might consider running for West Midlands Mayor - but with two major anniversaries this year - for the Bistro on 7 September and Purnell's on 7 July - there are certainly some celebrations to look forward to.
“This year the Bistro is five years old, and I think the average independent restaurant lasts for three to four years, so to have kept it going this long is very positive. We'll probably have a bit of a party there with some regulars, and maybe a special menu running for the week. For Purnell's, I've got something really fun planned, but all I can say at the moment is that whether you're Mrs Jones living in a one-bedroom maisonette or whether you're a lord or lady, you'll have just as much chance of coming to eat here on the anniversary night!”
My Kitchen Rules UK airs on Channel 4 later this year and is still looking for contestants.
Ten thousand pounds prize money, 30 episodes, 16 competing couples, two judges and just one Yummy Brummie – it's a recipe that 7wonder is hoping will impress when it serves up a second helping of My Kitchen Rules UK on Channel 4.
Last year’s debut season saw the Aussie import led by chefs Prue Leith and Michael Caines, but with the brand new Bake-Off piling plenty on Prue's plate, the company seized the chance to shake things up by handing over to Dublin's Rachel Allen and Birmingham's own inimitable Glynn Purnell. As filming for the series prepares to start here in the city, we spoke to the local legend about life in the limelight and claiming Birmingham's place on the culinary map.
“I've met Rachel a few times at the Good Food Show,” says Glynn, “and she's been to my Bistro for a few cocktails before - probably a few too many, as you do - but we've never worked together before. We just had a training session yesterday and apparently we work really well on screen together. She's lovely - obviously the better looking of the duo!”
For the benefit of those who've yet to sample its delights, My Kitchen Rules is a kind of marriage of MasterChef and Come Dine With Me. Taking part in pairs, contestants are given fixed budgets and time constraints within which to plan their meals and prep their homes for visitors. Recurring and guest judges are then served home-cooked meals as if eating in a restaurant. In addition to the quality of the food, couples are also judged on presentation, service and décor - which Purnell says should be even more “glamorous” and “spectacular” this year.
While developing a cooking show might seem like entering a market as saturated as a block of butter, there's an extent to which it’s always a safe bet. No matter how much of it might fill their screens, people seem to love looking at amazing food.
“Food is just everything, isn't it? Whether you're eating a sandwich or dining out in a Michelin-star restaurant, it's something that's always on the agenda. It's connected to every occasion - weddings, birthdays, even funerals. It's subjective as well, so what you like and what other people like are completely different, and I think that makes for good television. And whenever you see people making food, it makes you hungry - especially nowadays with the big screens in HD, where you can see every drop of juice.”
With two restaurants to run as well as three young kids at home, adding TV to the mix isn't always easy, but the chef is careful not to bite off more than he can chew.
“It's all about having a balance of doing enough to keep people interested, and making time to stay focused on the restaurant. I’ve been able to set up shoots on my days off, and a lot of the show is filmed in Birmingham, which is fantastic, because it's obviously the centre of the universe. But I probably turn down more TV than I do. It seems like I do a lot, but I think that's just because I'm loud and people remember me more - and maybe partly because I drone on in a Brummie accent!”
It’s largely thanks to Purnell’s influence that the Birmingham food scene has undergone such a radical shift in recent years. With six Michelin-star restaurants - more than any other UK city outside London - as well as thriving indie coffee shops and street food, it’s certainly a far cry from the ‘culinary desert’ that national papers were describing when he started out.
“I think Birmingham's always had a diverse food culture, with things like the Balti Triangle, but it was never really one that people would travel to experience. Twenty years ago, for us to be twinned with Lyon, which is the home of gastronomy in France, it was quite striking. When I opened Jessica's in 2003, almost all the restaurants were chains. I like to think I've contributed quite heavily to the fact that it's become a food destination.”
Amazingly, it's been almost 10 years since Purnell left behind what he’d built up at Jessica's to set up on his own. Now, with his name above the door of two highly successful restaurants and emblazoned on the uniforms of ranks of staff, he's living his childhood dream. There's not much left to check off the list - though he jokes he might consider running for West Midlands Mayor - but with two major anniversaries this year - for the Bistro on 7 September and Purnell's on 7 July - there are certainly some celebrations to look forward to.
“This year the Bistro is five years old, and I think the average independent restaurant lasts for three to four years, so to have kept it going this long is very positive. We'll probably have a bit of a party there with some regulars, and maybe a special menu running for the week. For Purnell's, I've got something really fun planned, but all I can say at the moment is that whether you're Mrs Jones living in a one-bedroom maisonette or whether you're a lord or lady, you'll have just as much chance of coming to eat here on the anniversary night!”
My Kitchen Rules UK airs on Channel 4 later this year and is still looking for contestants.
To apply, visit 7wonder.co.uk
Interview by Heather Kincaid