Celebrity chef to be hottest ticket in town

James Martin events full

Celebrity chef James Martin has proved a hit for this year’s Taste of Grampian – before even stepping into the kitchen.

The former Saturday Kitchen host is the headline act for the food and drink festival atThainstone later this year, and will show off his skills during two demonstrations.

He will then be joined by renowned wine expert and Saturday Kitchen regular, Susy Atkins, for a special finale event – where he will create someone’s “Love or Hate” dish and she will pair it with wine.

Tickets for the three events have already sold out, and fans arenowbeing urged to act fast to snap up the last fewremaining tickets for the other top demonstrations, featuring Ms Atkins and P&J columnist Lady Claire Macdonald.

Ms Atkins will host three drinks master classes in the Corney and Barrow Wine Marquee at the show on June 3.

The first will focus on sparkling wine, the second onartisan local gin, and the third on South American wines. Tickets for the sparklingwinemasterclass are £15, while tickets for the gin and wine classes cost £12. The price includes samples and tasting notes.

Tickets for Lady Claire’s demonstration are free due to generous support from event sponsor Specially Selected Pork.

This year’s event, which is staged at the Thainstone Centre near Inverurie, will also feature a new beer festival.

Taking place immediately after the main event from 5pm to 11pm, the festival will includeanarray of outdoor street foodandlive music.

Tickets cost £10, or £5 if someone has attended the main event first. It is open to families until 9pm and over-18s only after that time.

Entry to the main event, which will also feature the popular Press and Journal/Evening ExpressMotor Show, is £5 for adults and free for children under 16. All tickets are available online at www. tasteofgrampian.co.uk