James Martin has presented BBC1′s hugely successful weekly show Saturday Kitchen for the last 6 years. His television career began in 1996 with The Big Breakfast and Ready, Steady Cook, and he has rarely been off screen since.
As a chef he was spotted by Antony Worrall Thompson, who noticed his work and brought him to London to work in the kitchens of 190 Queensgate, followed by dell’Ugo. Also in the 3 years working in London he worked for many of the great chefs in the early part of the 90s.
James then toured France, working in the kitchens of some of the old chateaux. Back in England, he then worked at the 5 red stars Chewton Glen for two years as pastry chef. In 1994, at the tender age of 22, James opened the Hotel and Bistro du Vin in Winchester as Head Chef, where he changed the menu everyday.