The Cattle Market, Melton Mowbray 6th April 2008 Open 10.00am – 5pm

James Martin

James Martin was born into the chef's life: his father ran the catering side of Castle Howard stately home in Yorkshire and, when he was only 12, James could boast that he'd cooked for the Queen Mother on her visit there.

At 16, he went to Scarborough to begin his formal training. While there, he was student of the year for three years running. His work was noticed by Antony Worrall Thompson who brought James to London to work, first at 190 Queensgate and then at dell'Ugo. James then travelled throughout France working in the kitchens of French chateaux alongside the matriarchs of grand old families.

On his return to Britain, at age 22, he opened the Hotel and Bistro du Vin in Winchester where, as head chef, he changed the menu every day.

His TV career started in 1996 when he became a regular team member on Ready Steady Cook and he has since appeared in numerous TV shows such as Delicious!, James Martin Sweet and Yorkshire’s Finest as well as Castle in the Country and Stately Suppers for the BBC. In 2006 he impressed fans with his dancing skills in Strictly Come Dancing. James now presents Saturday Kitchen live on BBC One every Saturday morning and is appearing in Sweet Baby James on BBC Two.

James is the author of numerous cookery books. His first book “Eating in with James Martin” was published in October 1998 more recent titles include The Great British Village Show Cookbook” and “Desserts”.

Outside of his TV work he co-owns a kitchen design/manufacturing company in St Albans, and is a food consultant on the cruise ship Ocean Village.

 
Rachel Green

Chef Rachel Green is renowned for her passion for food, and her love of seasonal and local produce. With two TV series under her belt, and a third in development, she has brought these passions together. In her first series, The Flying Cook, www.yorkshiretv.com Rachel visited food producers right across the region by helicopter, and took the ingredients home to cook in her converted barn.

In her latest series, World On A Plate, Rachel celebrates ethnic cuisines with families living in the region, from Hindu to West Indian, from Polish to Jewish families.

Rachel is also official Champion for Tastes of Lincolnshire www.visitlincolnshire.com and face of the East Midlands, for the taste England campaign launched by Visit Britain www.VisitBritain.org.
A farmer's daughter from Lincolnshire, her family has farmed in the county for 14 generations. She has helped lamb ewes, lift potatoes, strip peas from the vine and combine the wheat. "It means I have a huge respect for producers," she declares, " I know just how much hard work has gone into it!" She has cooked for 8 to 800, many times for the Royal Family, ran her own restaurant Grainthorpe Hall for several years. She cooks often on radio and television, including the BBC's first-ever interactive TV series, alongside Delia Smith, Rick Stein and Gary Rhodes.