Webchat with James Martin, Chef and presenter of Saturday Kitchen: Friday 6 December 1.45-2.45 pm

[RachelMumsnet]

In the last of our food related webchats this year we are very happy to be welcoming James Martin to Mumsnet HQ. He'll be answering all your questions about cooking and baking as well telling us about what he's been up to and what's coming up for him in the New Year.

James is presenter of Saturday Kitchen. He was a regular face on Ready Steady Cook as well as various other TV programmes and in 2006 reached the semi- finals of Strictly Come Dancing. When he's not busy cooking and dancing, James spends his time driving his vintage cars and flying around the country with his newly acquired pilot’s license.

James is passionate about celebrating British food, using the best ingredients possible and creating simple, delicious recipes accessible to all. His latest book Fast Cooking: Really Exciting Recipes in 20 Minutes shows how to put delicious food on the table in next to no time. Every dish is easy to shop for and can be prepared from start to finish in 20 minutes using James' clever tips, tricks and storecupboard shortcuts. Post a question to James and join the discussion and you'll be entered into a draw to win one of three copies of the book.

Hi James
My 8 year old son fell in love with carpaccio of beef on a recent holiday. Do you have a fairly foolproof recipe for it I could try for a Christmas Day starter?

Hi James, you have been working very hard on the hospital food campaign. Will there be another TV series and if yes, do you know when it will hit our screens? x

Hi James!

Do you always eat 'proper' food when relaxing at home? Or do you pop out to the chippie??

Oh, can I have an extra question?

Omelette challenge. Have you had a go yet??

Helllooo James!

Love watching you on a sat morning and even have it set to record incase I miss it.

Quick question about a beef and ale pie recipe I have tried if yours. It's the one with black sheep ale. Love the flavour it was a big hit however I would prefer a thicker sauce, what's the best way to do this.

Big squeeze

Oh exciting

Love the work you're doing with hospital food. Would you consider tackling the terrible school dinners our children's schools frequently offer? Why is it so difficult to feed children a healthy and delicious meal?

Thank you!

Hi James,

I love your San marzano pizza recipe. I'd been trying for years to find an authentic tasting pizza base until I found your recipe!

What's your favourite pizza topping?

Thank you!

hi James, I like Saturday Kitchen, it's good fun, but the omlette challenge is just not appetizing.

What would be your last meal?

Be still my beating parts.

Phwoar.

Um, I will think of a question shortly......

Hi James- Have a question finally for you-

My daughter is training to be a Patissiere and will be looking for stages to gain experience and contacts this Easter and Sumnmer breaks. Where would you recommend she apply to?

Lorraine Pascale recommended hotels who do teas and also Pierre Herme so advice from you too would be very exciting for her.

My daughter wants to go 'all the way' and gain experience with the very best so feel free to suggest stages in other countries too. She has already worked with a master baker who trained at the Savoy and has a stage arranged there.

@ Sumnmer

calm down Mig

Hi James

Bit of a long question.

I have one DS who is 11 and a total foodie recently diagnosed anaphylactic to some ordinary ingredients including most fruit, (apples, berries, tomatoes etc). Meals are hard to plan and fraught with fear for him. Lots of things he previously loved are now out of bounds.

Raised on the same home cooking etc youngest DS is 7 and does not seem to enjoy food unless sweet or bland. He has never knowingly eaten a vegetable unless artfully disguised and I am running out of time and patience at mealtimes.

How can we restore some joy to our family table?

Hope you can answer, DS2 will be delighted if I can show him a reply, he's a big fan of Saturday Kitchen. Thank you!

Hi James,

Hope you can sort my Christmas meal out for me:

We usually have a turkey, but this year we'll be killing a drake and I'll be roasting that instead. However, I've never cooked duck before and could really do with some tips. I remember seeing a friend cook one propped up on a drink can - is that the best way to do it?

Was then thinking about using the leftovers for Chinese pancakes - I don't really feel like introducing yet more fat to a very fatty bird so don't really want to fry the meat. I was thinking about using the microwave but would that ruin it?

(Apologies for the two questions but this is stressing me out!)

Hi James,

Can I ask will you ever be over in Ireland, cork preferably!

Have made it to a few demos in the uk and ate in Manchester 2 wks ago. I'm.sure you could have a food festival over this way:-D

Thanks for your time,
Paula

Hi James

Are you still single?

Another proud Yorkshire person here! On that theme - when are you re-opening a restaurant in Leeds? We visited your last venture and have also patronised the Talbot (not much of a stalker) and loved both! Come on, you know you want to!

Hi James really enjoyed your hospital food challenge could you maybe try it in northern ireland you were here for the food show and i think it would be great to get you over here as ive had a stay in hospital in northern ireland and the food was really poor, very dried out, unappealing, often cold, i had to ask visitors to bring in food for me, thank cathy

Hi James, I loved your recent series which was the Food map of Britain. You still have such passion and commitment to food and new tastes that it was a pleasure to watch. You looked like you really were enjoying yourself!

Do you still hold the world record for carrot chopping? If not, are you going to do it again?

daisy

I so hope he answers that one!

Hello James
Another fan of your hospital food initiatives

Am not officially here as on maternity, about to pop with twins (have two little ones already)
I have just added your book to my Christmas wish list -feel like I am going to be rather time short so it sounds perfect.
Any of your recipes good for freezing?
Thanks

Both my children are now HUGE fans of yours thanks to Junior Bake Off! They would like to know what recipe from your Fast Cooking they should try to cook together? (needs to be pretty simple as they are keen but inexperienced!)

Hi James,

My family and I are huge fans of Saturday kitchen. We watch every week. Might be a bit of a long shot but do you have any tips for a milk, soy, wheat and lactose allergy friendly dessert for christmas for our toddler. She is old enough to join in this year. Thank-you.

Oh BTW I tried the omelette challenge a few times but only got down to a minute

Which chefs were inspirational to you when you were learning to become a chef? And have any of your food heroes appeared on Saturday Kitchen making you nervous about cooking infront of them and a bit awe struck?

Thanks loving your work did I just say that [ blush]

Hi James

I love Saturday morning Kitchen and your love of butter and the way you seamlessly prep, assist, clear up and cajole the chefs into washing their hands. I record it to watch in the evening while getting ready to go out but every time you say literally I literally have to have a drink (bingo). It slows down me down. My question is what would you cook for a vegetarian for Christmas dinner that goes with all the trimmings (nothing with cranberries, filo pastry or goats cheese please). Thank you very very much.