purnell's chef-proprietor, glynn purnell, was formerly chef at "jessica's" on portland road in edgbaston, which opened in july 2003 by keith and diane stevenson and was awarded aa restaurant of the year within one year of opening. jessica's was awarded 1 michelin star in 2005 and retained it until the restaurant closed in 2007, when glynn purnell and his wife and partner, kerry o'carroll, decided to open their own restaurant in cornwall street. the former jessica's was reopened by the former maitre d', pascal cluny, as pascal's and it was awarded a michelin bib in 2008. subsequently, glynn purnell acquired the building to open a restaurant called "the asquith" but this was relocated to newhall street and later renamed "purnell's bistro". the building which had housed jessica's was eventually converted into luxury apartments.