Chef John's marzipan marvels

When John Berry's first small margarine sculpture was admired by Princess Michael of Kent, he decided to go on to bigger and better things.

Now the talented NEC chef has a collection of fantasy figures, soldiers and animals created out of marzipan or margarine.

"When I first started working in the kitchens at the NEC I asked the head chef if I could have a small pack of margarine," says John, aged 47. "I created a Roman soldier for a table display and it was admired by Princess Michael. She liked it so much she took it home with her."

John, who is deputy head chef with the NEC Group, has spent more than 20 years perfecting his delicate sculptures with intricate detail.

"I have worked at the NEC for 30 years and joined six months after it opened," he says.

"My first job at the NEC was as a porter but I got into the kitchens because I enjoyed cooking. I grew up in Chelmsley Wood in Birmingham and so the NEC was always down the road and it seemed the logical place to work.

"I love my job because it is so varied. I can be doing parties for 2,500 or a VIP dinner for five."

John has managed to sculpt Lord of the Rings characters Gimli, Gandalf, Boromir and Hobbits Merry and Pippin.

He has also done a sculpture of Napoleon, several Chinese figures, warriors and soldiers and he created a 6ft-bear for a BMW conference. His most recent sculpture was of Indiana Jones.

"You can use a lot of different foods to make sculptures but I like using marzipan or margarine," says John, who lives in Sheldon.

"I got into it after attending food competitions and seeing the margarine sculptures that other chefs had done.

"To make the sculptures I use small clay tools and knives and it can take around three days to complete each one.

"You have to keep margarine cold but it is easier than marzipan to use.

"Marzipan can get quite heavy so you have to support it with a solid base and mould it quickly."

He uses blocks of solid margarine used for pastry and paints his creations with food colouring.

John says he hopes to exhibit his works of art at the Sugarcraft Show at the NEC in December.

"My next project is to do characters from The Golden Compass," he says.

"Also, there are a few more movies to come out this year so I will have to see which ones take my fancy.

"I find it is best to tackle a project while the film is out because it gives you more inspiration.

"I live with my wife Angela who is my biggest critic, she will tell me if something is good or if it needs improving.

"We have a nine-year-old son, Luke, and he loves the cakes I make for him."