Press Release: A CULINARY STAR TURN FOR ELMHURST BALLET SCHOOL'S SUMMER BALL

[Jan McNulty]

Media release: Tuesday 30 May 2023

 

A Culinary Star Turn for Elmhurst Ballet School's Summer Ball

 

Birmingham's dance and culinary talents join forces as school's Centenary celebrations draw to a close

 

 

 

Birmingham dance and culinary talents will unite for a fundraising event on Tuesday 11^th July 2023 as Elmhurst Ballet School presents its Centenary Summer Ball, and Birmingham-born Michelin star chef Glynn Purnell curates the evening’s menu.

 

 

Elmhurst Ballet School is based in Edgbaston, Birmingham and enjoys close links with Birmingham Royal Ballet. Elmhurst trains talented young students aged 11 - 19 to become professional dancers. Founded in 1923, the school continues to celebrate its 100^th birthday during the current academic year.

 

Glynn Purnell, often called ‘Yummy Brummie’, received Birmingham’s first Michelin star in 2005. Glynn has taken part in Great British Menu, winning twice and appearing in later series as a mentor. He is regularly seen on Saturday Kitchen as a host and guest chef.

 

For the Ball, award-winning event caterers Amadeus – also a Birmingham based organisation – will work with Glynn to bring his gastronomic vision to the table. Amadeus caters for more than 10 million people across its venue portfolio annually. Part of the NEC Group, it has a rich history in the events sector, delivering sustainable and high-quality dishes for guests at much-loved landmarks including the NEC, ICC and Birmingham’s two arenas.

 

The 11^th July Ball will take place during Elmhurst’s popular run of summer shows, this year titled Century. The annual end of year performances, spotlight the dance talents of students who train full-time at the school. Century and the Summer Ball will draw Elmhurst’s year-long Centenary celebrations to a close.

 

About collaborating with Elmhurst and curating the Centenary Summer Ball menu, Glynn Purnell, said: “It is an absolute pleasure to design a menu that suitably celebrates Elmhurst Ballet School, a brilliant training facility which Birmingham welcomed with open arms when it made the move to our fantastic city in 2004. I’m so pleased to be able to contribute to celebrating 100 years of Elmhurst and seize the opportunity to bring theatricality and elegance to the dinner table at this special event.”

 

Jessica Ward, Principal of Elmhurst Ballet School, added: “Elmhurst has had an incredible year commemorating its Centenary, from a Royal visit to alumni reconnecting and inspiring current students. To conclude the celebrations with Glynn Purnell curating the menu for our Summer Ball is a real coup for the school and is the perfect way to take Elmhurst into its next 100 years.”

 

Before the Summer Ball’s two-course dinner curated by Glynn, and for the Century shows, Elmhurst students will perform a range of dance in the school’s studio theatre, including excerpts from Birthday Offering by Fredrick Ashton; Journey, a new ballet creation for the entire Lower School by Northern Ballet Soloist, Gavin McCaig; Juncture, a new contemporary piece by dance artist and filmmaker Charlotte Edmonds; and the whole school in the Grand Défilé, literally translated as the Big Parade.

 

 

 

Elmhurst Ballet School Centenary Summer Ball, Tuesday 11 July 2023:

The Summer Ball at Elmhurst Ballet School in Edgbaston will commence at 6pm and end at 10pm.

 

For more information or to secure a table for 10 guests at £1,500 or an individual ticket at £150, please contact development@elmhurstdance.co.uk

 

Elmhurst Ballet School Century Summer Shows Friday 7 - Thursday 13 July 2023:

Venue: Elmhurst Ballet School Studio Theatre, Edgbaston, Birmingham

Dates and Times:

Friday 7th July at 7pm (Whole School performance)

Saturday 8th July at 2pm (Upper School performance)

Saturday 8th July at 7pm (Whole School performance)

Sunday 9th July at 2pm (Lower School and Elmhurst Young Dancers performance)

Wednesday 12th July at 7pm (Whole School performance)

Thursday 13th July at 7pm (Whole School performance)

Tickets: via Elmhurst Ballet School Eventbrite. ON GENERAL SALE 5^th JUNE.

 

Elmhurst Ballet School is a world-renowned centre of dance excellence in association with Birmingham Royal Ballet, which trains young dancers aged 11-19. Celebrating its 100th birthday in 2023, the school was founded in Camberley, Surrey in 1923 and relocated to Edgbaston in Birmingham in 2004.

 

The school aims to nurture individuality through dance training, academics and health & wellbeing and guide students to become independent, collaborative and versatile artists. Elmhurst's dance training is delivered by current and former dance professionals. The training is enhanced by the association with Birmingham Royal Ballet, an ongoing relationship with Studio Wayne McGregor, and many visiting choreographers and dance artists work collaboratively with the students during the school year.

 

Elmhurst’s exceptional training opportunities is available to young dancers regardless of their financial, social or cultural backgrounds. Although Elmhurst is an independent school, 89% of students benefit from UK Government support or in-house bursaries to train at the school. Recent graduates are working with companies across the UK and internationally including Birmingham Royal Ballet, New Adventures, Northern Ballet, Scottish Ballet and the Royal Ballet.

 

Wayne McGregor CBE is President of the school, and Carlos Acosta CBE and Dame Merle Park are listed amongst the school’s Vice Presidents. Elmhurst Young Dancers’ Programme provides weekend pre-vocational training in Birmingham, Manchester, Plymouth and Sunderland. A new Research and Performance Department is the first in the world to support evidence-based practice in a vocational dance school setting.

 

www.elmhurstballetschool.org

 

Social media: Twitter: @ElmhurstBallet Instagram: @elmhurstballetschool Facebook: elmhurstballetschool

 

 

Glynn Purnell - Often called the ‘Yummy Brummie’, Glynn Purnell started cooking professionally at the age of 14. After securing a work experience placement in a hotel kitchen, he spent the next two years catching the number 966 bus to the Metropole Hotel at the NEC where he was quickly promoted to making salads and flipping burgers. A six-year stint followed, gaining experience in every department from banqueting to the A La Carte Terrace Restaurant, where he discovered his talent and passion for fine dining. It wasn’t long before he began winning awards including the prestigious Salon Culinaire.

 

His next professional step was as Chef de Partie at Simpson’s Restaurant where he progressed to the position of Sous Chef. The restaurant was awarded a Michelin star and Glynn went on to win many accolades within the industry.

 

After training with top chefs including Gordon Ramsay, Gary Rhodes and Claude Bosi, Glynn travelled abroad to work with well-known Michelin starred chefs in Europe. He went on to help launch Jessica’s in July 2003, which was awarded Birmingham’s first Michelin star back in 2005. Glynn is now the proud owner of Purnell’s Restaurant on Cornwall Street in Birmingham city centre, which opened in July 2007 and was awarded a Michelin star in 2009, which it has retained for 14 consecutive years.

 

Glynn’s first venture outside of Birmingham, The Mount by Glynn Purnell in Henley-in-Arden, opened on 23 March 2022. Glynn’s new tapas bar, Plates by Purnell’s, opened on Edmund Street in Birmingham city centre on 10 February 2023 and his latest offering Purnell’s Café & Bistro at Charterhouse in Coventry opened on 27 April 2023.

 

Glynn has become a household name after taking part in the Great British Menu, winning twice and then later appearing as a mentor. He has previously featured on The Great British Food Revival and The Secret Chef, among other television programmes. He can regularly be seen on Saturday Kitchen as a host and guest chef. He presented the latest series of My Kitchen Rules UK alongside Rachel Allen on Channel 4 in 2017.

 

www.purnellsrestaurant.com

 

Social media: Twitter: @purnellrest Instagram: @purnellsrestaurant Facebook: purnellsrestaurant

 

Amadeus delivers catering solutions to venues and event organisers who want to provide visitors with a unique and memorable food experience. Unlike its competitors, Amadeus does this differently by drawing on over 45 years’ experience operating in venues and creating events as part of the NEC Group. 

 

The customer portfolio includes delivering catering solutions to around four million visitors per year at the NEC Group venues (the NEC, ICC, Resorts World Arena, Utilita Arena Birmingham and Vox Conference Venue). 

 

In addition, it caters for approximately 150 corporate or private events per year, including 6 major international sporting championships and at over 20 external venues through its Events By Amadeus team. 

 

Its varied portfolio includes Cadbury World, Compton Verney, Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre, Library of Birmingham and Stratford Racecourse among others. 

 

Amadeus also operates three Starbucks and three Subway franchise outlets at the NEC and ICC, in addition to managing outlets for retail partners JD Wetherspoon and Cornish Bakery. 

 

With more than 1,000 staff, the Amadeus team has won more than 650 awards for quality and innovation in catering. 

 

www.amadeusfood.co.uk

 

Social media: Twitter: @amadeusfood Instagram: @amadeusfood, LinkedIn: @amadeusfood

 

Photo credits:

Elmhurst Ballet School students in Century. Magda Hoffman Photography

Glynn Purnell. Lucy Rebecca Photography