Aside from your Gordon Ramseys, Jamie Olivers and Marco Pierre Whites, there are few chefs in the UK who can match the star appeal of James Martin.
The 37-year-old is one of the most recognisable faces on British television thanks to his regular appearances on cookery shows such as Ready, Steady Cook, Saturday Kitchen and Kitchen Invaders, as well as competing in the primetime TV ballroom dancing smash Strictly Come Dancing.
And his star quality has been added to next year’s Gourmet Abu Dhabi event – a 16-day festival taking place in 12 fine dining restaurants across the capital from February 2-17. On February 3, James will be at the Crowne Plaza Yas Island, where he’ll be preparing a British-style feast for 250 guests. While the following day, he’ll be conducting a one-off free public tutorial to teach amateur chefs the secrets of his profession.
James said: ‘”Although my style of food is changing all the time, one thing people need to remember when demonstrating cooking is to cook things people can achieve at home – this is exactly what I intend to do in my Gourmet Abu Dhabi master class.”
James started his illustrious career when renowned British chef, Antony Worrall Thompson, noticed the talented youngster’s work at Scarborough Technical College and employed him at his 190 Queensgate restaurant in London. James then opened the famous Hotel du Vin & Bistro in Winchester, UK, where the then 21-year-old made national headlines by daringly changing the menu every day. He started his TV career in 1996 on the BBC show Ready, Steady Cook and has since gone on to become a regular on the UK’s small screens.
The third Gourmet Abu Dhabi festival will see 13 master chefs – with 22 Michelin stars between them – four special guest chefs and six master pâtissiers arrive in the capital for a series of classes, lectures and tasting sessions across the city. Log on to www.gourmetabudhabi.ae for more information.
