Celebrity chef at Highclere school

Ready, Steady, Cook chef Paul Rankin in cook off with headteacher at Thorngrove School

A CELEBRITY television chef visited an independent Highclere school recently, as part of the school's anniversary celebrations.

Paul Rankin, a celebrity chef on the BBC2 television programme Ready, Steady, Cook, spent the day at Thorngrove School on June 27 as part of the school's 23rd anniversary Founders' Day celebrations.

Mr Rankin showed pupils how to bake bread and scones in

the morning and then was involved in a cook-off with Adam

King, the headteacher, in the afternoon.

"The children roared their approval as their headteacher

cooked up a delicious chicken stir fry with various unknown

ingredients," said Mr King, adding that the audience deemed

him the winner, albeit "to Mr Rankin's obvious surprise".

Mr Rankin also created a spicy Chinese sweet a sour dish

and pupils took part in a healthy eating competition, creating menus, and won signed books from the famous chef.