The toughest I’ve enough was enough

He had no choice

– Nick Nairn on closing his restaurant

After a couple of series on these shores, their culinary odysseys have been increasingly far flung, with this sixth series the furthest-travelled yet.

“Our hearts have swelled with pride at the achievements the Scots and Irish have made across the world,” said Paul. “One in 10 Americans have strong Scots-irish DNA in them and one third of all US presidents are of Ulster-scots descent.” The New Zealand trip uncovered much more recent connections than American and Canadian immigration. And they found Scots influences everywhere. “Dunedin on the South Island is astonishingly Scottish,” said Nick. “About 40% of people there have Scottish roots.”

The previous series, sold in various countries now, ensure they are recognised wherever they go. And while filming involves a long time away from home, both say that working with their best mate means that’s not a hardship.

“I first met Nick when he was trying to chat up my ex-wife and told him to butt out,” laughed Paul.

Nick added: “We are extraordinarily similar. We opened our restaurants at the same time, got our Michelin stars at the same time and did our first TV at the same time. “We did pretty much every Ready Steady Cook programme together and we had some legendary nights out in London. When I’m down he’s picked me up and the other way round. We have each other’s back and it’s a proper friendship.”

The duo already have plans for a new series, this time in Australia, if the New Zealand episodes go down as well as usual.

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The big problem is recruitment. We don’t have enough good people coming in

Paul and Nick’s Big Food Trip New Zealand STV Friday, October 12 at 8pm