Adam Johnson is a familiar face to millions of TV viewers as Michelin-starred Raymond Blanc’s development chef at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, featured in the BBC2 series “Kitchen Secrets”.

A former pupil of Idsall School, in Shifnal, he has pledged his support to help raise funds for a group of pupils who are aiming to travel to Venezuela, in July 2013, part of which will involve work to help a school in the country to improve its facilities.

The students who have been selected for the adventure need to raise £2,850 each to make the experience a reality. They are being supported by a small fundraising committee and putting their efforts into an array of activities to bring in the money they need.

One of their key events will be The Great Albrighton Bake-Off, as part of Albrighton Fayre, on July 14, in which entrants will pit their finest cake recipes against each other. Adam has promised to attend the Fayre and assist in the judging, along with Sarah Killeen of Albrighton Cakes, bringing with him the chance to win the prize of a voucher for afternoon tea for two at the two Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, in Oxfordshire.

He said: “I think what the pupils are planning to do is adventurous and extremely worthwhile. The money they need to raise is a big target, so I’m very happy if I can help to get them there. I will look forward to trying the best cake’s Albrighton has to offer!”

The Great Albrighton Bake-Off will be open to everyone attending the summer fayre who wants to try their hand at making the best cake for Adam to taste. The cakes will be sold after the judging to add to the coffers for the trip.

Fundraising committee member, Amanda Jacobs, said: “We are hugely grateful for Adam’s kind support. He’s an extremely busy man with a demanding high profile job but hasn’t hesitated to offer his time to help out his former school. The pupils are really excited!”

The event is being supported by sponsorship from Albrighton businesses, including: Henris, Pat Richards Butchers (Walter Smith Fine Foods), Piggots, Albrighton Cakes, Cartwright’s Fruit & Flowers and Albrighton Eye Centre. David Austin Roses has also stepped-up with the prize for second place of afternoon tea at its Albrighton tea room.

Adam Johnson joined Le Manoir in 2004, coming from the The Hundred House Hotel, at Norton, in Shropshire, working his way up to his current role as Monsieur Blanc’s development chef. As well as being instrumental in the success of Kitchen Secrets, Adam is involved in a range of other projects led by his world-famous boss, plus recipe development, supplier and ingredients sourcing and taste testing for Le Manoir’s menus. He also heads up the production of all elements in Monsieur Blanc’s cookery books.