Popular chef, James Martin, continues to attract nearly three million viewers to his flagship BBC cooking programme, Saturday Kitchen. With his work ethic and determination, the ambitious Yorkshire lad cooked his way to the top, but how did he become such a recipe for success? There is something reassuring about Saturday Kitchen – whether it is the delicious food being made in front of your eyes that sets y ...

Tuck into a few bite-sized morsels of foodie trivia. We dish up some tasty facts about James Martin He got through to the semi-final of BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing back in 2006 and lost 3½st in four weeks during the process! James still holds the world record for carrot chopping, in which he peeled and cut up 22 (515g) whole carrots in just one minute. The TV chef once dated film producer, Barbara Broccoli ...

There’s no other day of the year quite like Christmas – especially when it comes to a big family extravaganza with food and alcohol taking centre stage. And while we might not all be cooks, let’s face it, we’re definitely all eaters. This is the occasion to go all out, to try new recipes in advance, to have fun with your cooking and to find your inner Nigella! If you’re stuck for ideas or looking for a turk ...

We love... GETTING FESTIVE. The tree's gone up and the ornaments are out; why not continue the Christmas theme in the room that makes it all happen - the kitchen! Crank up the Crimbo spirit with this collection of kitchen novelties. [gallery link="file" columns="5" orderby="rand"] Buy them here: Yes Deer mug: http://leukaemialymphomaresearch.org.uk/shop/yes-deer-mug ...

When you’re hosting on the big Day, you need to keep your cool if a culinary catastrophe happens… The classic scenario of a terrifyingly large, frozen turkey being ‘defrosted’ in the bath might be a scene worthy of a sitcom, but it’s a real life nightmare that’s happened many a time, too. Cooking a successful Christmas dinner can easily be done without committing murder, but it does take planning and carefu ...

Follow our 10 culinary cues and you’ll be cooking up a storm for all the family this Christmas. 1. Invest in your toolsFlimsy knives, worn utensils and unnecessary gadgets do not make for professional kitchen tools. Buy some quality knives (and blade sharpeners) and heavy duty cooking pots, such as Le Creuset cast iron casserole pots. They may set you back a little in terms of cost, but the longevity and qu ...

The UK is riding a wave of exciting culinary delights, and the nation is hungry for more. Britain is fast becoming a nation of foodies: from the burgeoning pack of food bloggers to the rise of food markets, exotic restaurants with increasingly long waiting lists, online specialty shops and dedicated TV channels, the fascination with food is greater than ever before. So, with the constant smell of something ...

Ten celebrity chefs reveal their foodie favourites, guilty pleasures and regular restaurant haunts. James Martin Earliest food memory‘My gran, who’s now passed away, used to have an old enamelled gas grill, you know, one with the little red knobs on it. She used to make a bacon sandwich with bacon from Scott’s Butchers in York, which has shut down now, and bread from M&S. It was just the best bacon sand ...

Where does a top chef go to eat out? Our guest editor, James Martin, reveals the eateries that he can’t get enough of. Today: Purnell’s Birmingham Purnell’s Birmingham Location: 55 Cornwall Street, Birmingham B3 2DH Phone: 0121 212 9799 Website:  www.purnellsrestaurant.com This fine establishment was set up by Glynn Purnell in 2007. The chef’s reputation for bold and innovative cooking has earned him a ...

Where does a top chef go to eat out? Our guest editor, James Martin, reveals the eateries that he can’t get enough of. Today: The Hand & Flowers in Marlow, Buckinghamshire. The Hand & Flowers Marlow, Buckinghamshire Location: 126 West Street, Marlow, Buckinghamshire SL7 2BP Phone: 01628 482277 Website:  www.thehandandflowers.co.uk Opened in March 2005 by Tom and Beth Kerridge, The Han ...