STUDENTS were cooking up a storm at a masterclass with celebrity chef Brian Turner at City of Oxford College yesterday.

The former Ready, Steady Cook star helped students cook a three-course meal of smoked salmon parcels, herb crusted lamb and white chocolate and raspberry trifle for the college’s Waterside Restaurant.

He said: “I wish that I’d had the opportunity to work alongside people with experience in the industry when I was training.

“It helps students to understand more about the realities of working in a busy restaurant environment.

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“I hope that I can encourage the students by helping them to work together as a team to create something they can be really proud of.”

One of the trainee chefs was 17-year-old Will Pinfold, from Headington. He said: “I think it is a good idea to work with guest chefs as it introduces you to new skills and new ways of working which you can learn from.

“I want to gain experience of working in the kitchen and front of house so that I can run my own restaurant one day.”

Heather Candlish, 17, from Cowley, is studying her Level 2 Professional Chef’s Diploma. She said: “This is a really good opportunity, which creates an environment closer to the realities of working in the industry.

“I don’t feel the pressure of working alongside someone like Brian, I just want to make the most of the opportunity to help me succeed in the future.”

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