JAMES  MARTIN  NEWS-SHEET

While The Forum Is Closed We Shall Be Open

RYEDALE - May 27th & 28th                   RECIPES

It takes more than Bank Holiday rain storms to deter James Martin fans, so despite the weather the 600 seater cookery theatre, set up on Castle Howard’s lawns, was full to capacity for all six of James’s demos.

And those fans who couldn’t get in stayed outside and listened with their ears pressed to the canvas!!

This was a welcome return to the Festival and to ‘home turf’ for James, who brought along family and friends to help ‘man’ a stall stocked with his books, T-shirts, knife sets, aprons, etc - very useful when you are the sort of person who has to break off for the occasional live interview with BBC Radio!

 

Following concern from some food producers in the main marquee about ‘JM groupies’ jamming aisles in their struggle to get from his demos to the exit for his book-signing sessions, two extra exits were opened up to improve crowd control for the second day!

GF SUMMER FESTIVAL - June 15th & 17th

Disapproval from the ladies of Scarborough hasn’t slowed James down one bit - AS IF!!

His performances, in the Supertheatre, the Summer Kitchen and the Grow It arena were as entertaining as always.

Freak flooding in the Midlands caused train cancellations and delays, so we’ve heard many tales of fans sprinting from taxis to demos, but you’ve all reported that it was well worth the hassle to see our man on such top form!

 

His ‘double act’ with a cameraman and his use of ‘props’ from the audience or from stall-holders bring back memories of other demos. 

Long handled, telescopic mops and ‘very’ sharp knives featured in a good many of your comments!

One lady told us, “He was so funny, such an entertainer, there was so much laughter.  It was great to see the real Yorkshire man side to James”.

 

James was kept busy, in between demos at one or other of two book stands, signing and posing!

For a surprising number of fans this was their first live event.  They told us “he was an absolute star and so nice with people who approached him, even though he was very busy”. 

“He was amazing!” “He was so kind - he must get sick of people pestering him constantly”

But our favourite quote was from the lady who sent us the first two photos, “….. such a patient and kind man after all he must be mithered to death”.

OV 2 - April 24th              

After travelling back and forth to Germany, “like a yo-yo” putting finishing touches to his second bistro, James attended the launch party for OV 2, officially opening ‘The Bistro’ and cooking a three course celebratory meal for the ship’s two Godmothers.

Sisters Jodie and Jemma Kidd performed the naming ceremony of the Ocean Village sister ship at her re-launch in Southampton, completing the ’doubles’ theme by taking two attempts to smash the champagne bottle on the liner’s hull.

A specially invited crowd of celebrity friends enjoyed an evening’s entertainment before the naming, which took place amid a storm of ‘flutterfetti’ and synchronised waterjets.  For her maiden voyage OV 2 sails to Palma Majorca, by way of Gibraltar and Barcelona.

 

The Bistro is something that James is passionate about.  He has been with Ocean Village since the cruise line launched in May 2003 and is involved in everything from the creation of each menu and training of the chefs, to choosing the cutlery and perfecting the ambience of each restaurant.

On the first OV ‘The Bistro’, seating 110, is to be found in the stern of deck 7, the Panorama Deck. On OV 2 it seats just 92 but has been ‘promoted’ up to the bow end of deck 12 and given seating for 24 outside!  Décor in the new bistro is, perhaps, more contemporary, light and airy, but the evening’s experience continues to be elegant dining with waiter service.

As James puts it “…..when I put my name to something I need to know that it really is mine and that I have had input on everything right down to the size of the spoons”.  So book a table and give your taste buds a treat.

 

With James’s food being so popular and space limited, seats are at a premium, so we recommend you book yours as soon as you get on board.  The menu changes every five days, so if you are lucky enough to be aboard for the full two week cruise you will be able to sample three different versions!

CARDIFF - Jan 27th

When Celestia apartments needed a star chef to launch their new development they turned to James!  He produced a series of fun packed demos and tasty treats, in the top-specification kitchen of their two-level show home overlooking Cardiff Bay.

Developers, Redrow, said “The atmosphere was tremendous and the event was hugely successful too.  We would like to extend a big thank you to James.

 

One member of his audience told us “ He was of course totally charming and completely gorgeous, chatting away as if he’d known us for ages and enduring loads of photo calls from all the drooling women!”

“It was a great few hours, with James cooking some mouth-watering dishes accompanied by plenty of witty comments and useful tips.  There aren’t many around like him!”

AYLESBURY - Feb 6th

James wondered, when he accepted this booking, just how few people might turn up.  He needn’t have worried, the event was sold out weeks in advance!

He kept the capacity audience enthralled for nearly three hours with two dazzling demos, an array of new jokes and a candid Q&A session.

After showering the front row with crushed garlic James went on to produce seven savoury dishes, including Scallop & Crab Tartlets and Poussin with Muscat & Grape Risotto, developed for one of his new books. 

 

A short break gave time to admire the specially constructed Underwood kitchen, “Great kitchens these”, joked James holding up a black bucket hidden beneath the tap, “for an extra £500 they’ll give you a sink!”

 

James devoted his second session to puds, making his marshmallows more ‘grown up’ by adding raspberries and showing off a new Vanilla and Ginger Cheesecake recipe.

James was on top form at this event and those of us who had worried about him looking stressed towards the end of last year were relieved to see all the old sparkle and enthusiasm back in his cooking!

His sense of fun shone out and for the entire evening he held his audience in the palm of his very skilful hands.  After taking questions, giving some news about his many upcoming projects and thanking his fans in general for all their support, James could just have taken the applause and run.  He didn’t.  He stayed to sign everything that was put in front of him and smile for endless photos.

One lady’s response was, “It was a very entertaining evening, full of great recipes and good humour!  I was surprised that when he came off stage he appeared much quieter and almost shy ….. and so gorgeous close up.”

 

More details in our Digging Deeper page on the Chef’s Table

Personal Appearances

January to July 2007

OK ladies, I’m home!

Thanks to Melanie for the pics

Our thanks to Tina, COLR and  the DS ladies for all the pics

Thanks Christine