Top job in Malton lures TV chef back home (From Gazette & Herald)

James Martin is to be head chef at refurbished Talbot Hotel in Malton

1:23pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in News By Karen Darley

CELEBRITY chef James Martin is to work in collaboration with the revamped Talbot Hotel in Malton, it has been announced.

The presenter of BBC television’s Saturday Kitchen, who grew up near Malton and attended the town’s secondary school, is to help develop the hotel’s kitchen as part of a £4 million programme of restoration and refurbishment.

Previously under lease with English Rose Hotels, the hotel was taken back into the management of the owners, the Fitzwilliam Estate, last year.

The restoration work, which is due to be completed this spring, will include 26 bedrooms and suites, restaurant, lounge bar, public bar, private function room and landscaped grounds.

James said he was delighted to be returning to his roots.

“North Yorkshire is in my blood and I’ve watched the town of Malton successfully build a reputation as a foodie destination, with its popular food festival and the abundance of growers and producers in the area,” he said.

“I’m really looking forward to working with the team behind the new Talbot Hotel. “ James said the first step would be to plan the kitchen that will be equipped to cater for a 70-cover restaurant, lounge bar and private function room.

“I shall be looking at sourcing local suppliers and guests can look forward to finding all my favourite Yorkshire produce on the menu, from Wakefield rhubarb to Whitby crab,” he added.

Tom Naylor-Leyland, from the Fitzwilliam Estate, who is also responsible for Malton’s Food Lovers Festival, said the aim is to restore the Talbot Hotel is its former glory, creating a stylish and classical county hotel.

“This completely sets the tone of what the new hotel will be all about,” said Mr martin.

“We have an abundance of fantastic fresh produce right here on our doorstep and James is just the chef to make the most of it, creating exciting dishes that will bring customers back time and again.”

James cut his culinary teeth at the age of 10 by helping his father who was catering manager at Castle Howard. He then went to study at Scarborough Technical College where his talent shone through and he went on to become top student.

He first appeared on television in 1996 with programmes such as James Martin: Yorkshire’s Finest.

Throughout his career he has regularly returned to his home county for television appearances and to demonstrate at live events such as the Yorkshire Food and Drink Show.