Celebrity chef James Martin admits he ‘loves’ Yorkshire but currently lives in Hampshire, where he films his popular ITV show from a garage on his property
Celebrity chef James Martin has expressed his deep connection to Yorkshire, stating he would be “lynched” if he didn’t make his way back there. The 53-year-old chef, who was raised on a 100-acre farm within the Castle Howard estate, cherishes his visits back home.
James currently divides his time among various locations, including the Cotswolds, Manchester, and Hampshire, where he oversees his trio of restaurants. His residence is in Hampshire, from where he films his popular ITV show, James Martin’s Saturday Morning, in a kitchen specially constructed for the programme.
His seven-bedroom Hampshire abode features an outdoor kitchen, a greenhouse, and sits on 1.5 acres of land. The bespoke outdoor cooking space is equipped with a top-of-the-range wood-fired pizza oven, a large central island, and stylish green industrial lighting that sets the perfect scene for culinary creations.
The garage conversion of his property serves as a filming location for parts of his ITV show. It is believed that his home is conveniently located near The Kitchen at Chewton Glen Hotel and Spa in New Milton, one of his restaurants.
Despite his current residence in the south east, James’ affection for Yorkshire remains evident. He informed his audience that he would be returning to what he affectionately calls ‘God’s County’ during the summer hiatus of his weekend programme, reports Yorkshire Live.
In a conversation with Food and Travel, James reminisced about his formative years: “I had an amazing childhood. We farmed 100 acres, so we learned the value of graft, but also about food.
“It’s an amazing lesson in life to learn at that age: to respect the people who produce food, that it’s not just a given – people have to grow it, make it, produce it – and it also gives you a respect doing that as a career. I didn’t enjoy school, I hated it, but I loved home life. I was always outdoorsy, mending fences, fixing tractors.”
He explains that the farm faced initial challenges as his father “wasn’t a farmer by trade,” having a background in catering instead. Nevertheless, the family persevered, eventually introducing chickens and pigs to their land.
Yorkshire produce has consistently played a significant role in James’ life – he even hosted a culinary journey through the region – and has greatly influenced his approach to cooking. However, he emphasises that it’s the local people that draw him back to Yorkshire time and again.
He humorously observes that in London “think you’re going to mug them” if you strike up a conversation, whereas in Yorkshire, according to James, the locals are “very honest and much friendlier”.
James holds a deep appreciation for Yorkshire’s people, as well as its stunning coastline, the Moors, and the woodlands, describing the area as “magical” and “diverse”.
Despite his profound affection for Yorkshire, James remains settled in Hampshire, citing logistical difficulties in relocating due to the geographical spread of his projects. Nonetheless, James maintains that he has established a “routine” with his current arrangement.
He explains: “I know where I’m going on which day, every week, and the travelling isn’t too bad.”
When asked about the possibility of returning to his roots, James says: “I’ll get lynched if I don’t end up in Yorkshire. I love Yorkshire.”
Catch Saturday Morning with James Martin at 9.30am on ITV One. In this week’s episode, originally aired in 2023, James will be joined by singer Jack Savoretti, Midsomer Murders actor Neil Dudgeon, and culinary experts Glynn Purnell and Sabrina Gidda.
