Born in France’s food capital, Lyon, 25 year old Jean Benoit was destined for a career in food as both his parents worked in the industry – his father as a chef in a hotel and his mother front of house.

Following in his mother’s footsteps he began at the age of 14 with part time work at an Italian restaurant in Birmingham, followed by various positions at a number of city centre and out of town restaurants including Metro Bar & Grill and Bank Restaurant & Bar where he won a group-wide ‘Waiter of the Year’ competition.

Jean Benoit has also been working for the BBC, featuring in the programme "Making a meal of it" as a restaurant manager. The purpose of this programme was to give the opportunity to an unexperience couple to run a restaurant, supported by catering professional.

His working relationship with Glynn Purnell was established when he took on the role of Assistant Manager at Jessica’s Restaurant in Edgbaston where Glynn was Head Chef and he moved with Glynn to head up the Front of House operation at Purnell’s in July 2007.