In 2000, aged just 17, Nick Deverell-Smith was named Junior Chef of the Year. He trained with culinary legends including Marco Pierre White, Gordon Ramsay, Marcus Wareing and Eric Chavot. He has also been Head Chef at Soho House and Dean Street Townhouse.

In 2015 Nick opened his own restaurant, The Churchill Arms in the Cotswolds. He champions local produce and sources many ingredients from suppliers close to his restaurant. When asked by pupils which was his favourite dish from the menu, he did not hesitate to recommend his Beef Wellington – we are inclined to agree!

After working with the boys on perfecting their meals, Nick officially opened the space with Head Master James Barker and Head of Food Science at Warwick School, Meagan OSullivan. The new Food Science lab was made possible with the generous support of parents, and is already a hit with boys across all year groups. All pupils up to Sixth Form are timetabled at least one session per week in the new space, with additional co-curricular opportunities at lunchtimes and after school.

With a focus on learning to cook meals they enjoy, the pupils are already excited for what the future of Food Science at Warwick School looks like – many of the Year 9s were keen to pursue a GCSE in the subject next year.

Nick said: “It was a real honour to be invited back to a school that means so much to myself and my family, with so many happy memories there. It was fantastic to see the boys so engaged and confident in their ability, not just to cook, but to engage in interesting conversation.”

From learning how to correctly season the perfect steak to the best way to get turmeric stains out of a wooden spoon, the boys certainly made the most of the opportunity to ‘grill’ a professional chef. We look forward to having Nick back soon for a cookery demonstration!