Multi award-winning chef James Martin made a great impact with his television debut in November ‘96 and has rarely been off screen since but his culinary career began at Castle Howard where his father ran the catering, a young James often helping out! 

Following formal training, he opened the Hotel and Bistro du Vin in Winchester working as Head Chef. His restaurant at The Talbot in Malton, North Yorkshire was placed in the Michelin Guide within a year of its opening and further restaurants soon followed. James opened The Kitchen restaurant and cookery school at Chewton Glen in Hampshire in 2017.

Having become a familiar face on television’s Ready Steady Cook, James went on to present BBC1’s hugely successful Saturday Kitchen for ten years. During his career he has presented numerous programmes on food and food related subjects including;  

Operation Hospital Food, Operation Meet the Street, The Box, and Home Comforts, as well as being a judge on Junior Bake Off. He has also guest presented ITV’s This Morning and fronted The Great British Village Show, Eating with The Enemy, James Martin’s French Adventure, James Martin’s American Adventure, Saturday Morning with James Martin and James Martin’s British Adventure.

James is the author of numerous best-selling and award-winning cookbooks, as well as his autobiography, Driven. Also a keen journalist, he writes a weekly column for The Daily Mail and has been published in various magazines. 

In 2016, James partnered Asda and later became ambassador for Chesneys, the internationally acclaimed brand for those seeking the best in fireplaces, wood burning stoves and gas fire appliances. He has served as a consultant on the restaurants and menus for P&O Cruises Ocean Village cruise ships and Thomas Cook Airlines and is executive chef to Virgin Trains East Coast. Added to this 

James’ licensing endeavours include a range of small electricals with Wahl, cookware, knives and kitchen textiles with Stellar/Horwoods, Serveware with Denby, and sandwiches with Upper Crust. 

Aside from food, James is passionate about cars and dogs. To that end In 2008 he featured in a prime time special The Real Italian Job (BBC2) where he lived his dream of racing in the exclusive Mille Miglia in Italy in a vintage sports car. With over 3.5 million viewers it cemented James’ role as a car enthusiast and expert.  He is also a qualified pilot and has featured in the programmes Britain’s Favourite Dogs and Walks with My Dog and made the semi-finals on Strictly Come Dancing.