Kokova Magazine

We've enjoyed watching him from the comfort of our homes, cooking a variety of culinary delights and now, for the first time, the much loved TV celebrity chef, James Martin, will be at Ascot on Saturday 7th September 2013 for the Festival of Food and Wine Raceday.

James will not only create a menu for one of the racecourse's premier restaurants but also take part in an exclusive cooking demonstration on the day.

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.

During the day, racegoers can enjoy a cooking demonstration with James and his sous chef who will be cooking 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.

Recently James has been on a new show for 2013 titled United Cakes of America (Good Food Channel), where he tours the USA in search of the best cake and dessert recipes.

An author of award winning books and a lover of not only food but cars, James can be seen in his spare time driving his vintage models and flying around the country thanks to his newly acquired pilot’s licence!

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.

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.

James Martin

Ascot's Festival of Food and Wine Raceday 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 on the Festival of Food and Wine Raceday and includes Premier admission, exclusive table of ten or shared table for smaller groups, private balcony with trackside viewing, a glass of champagne on arrival, four-course luncheon created by James Martin, Cellar Master's selected wines, port or brandy with coffee, afternoon tea (sandwiches and a scone), complimentary bar throughout the day (excluding champagne) until 30 minutes after last race, one car park label per couple, racecard, racing paper and Ascot TV.

The James Martin package costs just £282 per person and reservations can be made on 0844 346 0346.

Raceday tickets start from £16pp and children under 18's go free. For more information and to book tickets, please visit www.ascot.co.uk