Simon goes back to cookery school!

TOP chefs in the making: MasterChef winner Simon Wood at Christ Church Primary School (l-r) Joe Smedley, Estelle Mushiko, Lilia Evans, David Omodele, Simon Wood and Simon’s daughter Charlotte

AFTER cooking for a variety of Michelin-starred chefs, MasterChef winner Simon Wood faced his toughest critics yet — an assembly full of schoolchildren.

Simon dashed back from a hectic schedule in London yesterday to be at his daughter Charlotte’s “MasterChef” assembly at Christ Church CofE Primary School in Chadderton.

“It was lovely going into school this morning, I wouldn’t have missed it for anything,” he said.

“All the kids were really excited, especially Charlotte, she was very proud. Quite a lot of them had watched the programme.”

Pupils performed a MasterChef show, children playing the roles of competitors while others pretended to be judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace, camera operators and official tasters.

“Charlotte was a clock ticking down the time the contestants had left and then the winner was presented with my trophy at the end. It was nice,” Simon said.

Jayne Smedley, a teaching assistant at the school, said: “The children were very excited about the assembly as they’ve followed Simon’s progress throughout the competition. But they were so surprised when he arrived with his trophy as they didn’t know he would actually be there.”

Simon says Oldham’s response to his win has been “overwhelming”.

“It was amazing. Everyone has been so supportive. I went out for a run last night and people driving past kept stopping and beeping and wishing me well.

“Eventually I need to stop and think about my future. Charlotte is only young and though I’m doing what I love, I love her more - so I have to do something that’ss a balance between the two.”