We’ve enjoyed watching him from the comfort of our homes, cooking a variety of culinary delights. Now, much loved TV celebrity chef James Martin will be at Ascot on Saturday 7 September for the Festival of Food and Wine Raceday where he will not only create a menu for one of the racecourse’s premier restaurants, but also take part in an exclusive cooking demonstration.
Lunch at the Windsor Forest Restaurant
Passionate about celebrating British food, using the best ingredients possible and creating simple, delicious recipes, James, who hosts many cookery programmes on television, has produced a menu using all these elements, which will be served in the Windsor Forest Restaurant. Working closely with Ascot’s executive chef Steve Golding, Martin has devised dishes that include a starter of home-cured salmon with charred cucumber, pickled ginger and tapioca crisp, followed by a slow roast fillet of beef with sautéed wild mushrooms, fondant potato and Madeira jus and, for dessert, a vodka and vanilla pannacotta with fresh raspberries and sugared doughnuts. In the afternoon during racing, guests can enjoy an afternoon tea of Inverawe smoked salmon with blinis and beetroot salad, scones, jam and clotted cream and a Victoria sponge cake with vanilla cream and raspberry jam.
Cooking demonstration
During the day, racegoers will enjoy a cooking demonstration with James and his sous chef as they cook some of his signature dishes. All recipes will be created so racegoers can watch James in action and then head home to re-create each dish.
Success story
James’ early love of food was nurtured at Castle Howard where his father ran the catering and James often helped out. He was Student of the Year for three years running at Scarborough Technical College and at the tender age of 22, he opened the Hotel and Bistro du Vin in Winchester as Head Chef, where he changed the menu every day. He continues to have success with his restaurant at The Talbot Malton.
James Martin, says “I am a huge fan of racing, whether its horses or cars and I look forward to being present on the day and cooking some British delights alongside my trusty sous chef Chris.”
Ascot’s Festival of Food and Wine Raceday
The Festival combines great racing with fantastic food. Wine connoisseurs will be on hand to give expert advice on how to choose a wine to suit your palate, while the Festival of Food celebrates the best produce the local area has to offer. Racegoers can shop between races, purchasing locally-produced items from county suppliers, and leaving them with the “Shop & Drop” facility to collect later.
James Martins’ menu is available for lunch in the Windsor Forest Restaurant and includes premier admission, exclusive table of 10 or shared table for smaller groups, a private balcony with trackside viewing, a glass of champagne on arrival, four course luncheon, Cellar Master’s selected wines, port or brandy with coffee, afternoon tea, complimentary bar throughout the day (excluding champagne) until 30 minutes after last race, one car park label per couple, a racecard and racing paper.
For more information and to book tickets click here