Super chef James Martin will bring all the right ingredients to the table in Llandudno later this month.

The former host of BBC’s Saturday Kitchen and star of ITV’s Saturday Morning with James Martin will be at Venue Cymru on Sunday, October 28 – and the Journal has two tickets to give away.

Although food will be at the heart of the show, Martin will also be joined by special guests and promises some big surprises.

He learned to play guitar for his last tour in 2016 and has some brand new special ingredients to add in the pan this year.

Speaking to the Journal from a service station on the M1 headed to the tour’s opening night in Grimsby, Martin said: “It’s not just your average cooking show; it’s an absolute monster and there’s something like 200 people involved in the finale.

“We have Ross Kemp playing the voice of God and Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits has created something fun for the tour.”

Audiences can expect an entertaining, fast-moving, immersive show, jam-packed with James’ signature cooking demonstrations and full of exciting twists.

Martin has worked under the guidance of chefs including Antony Worrall Thompson and Marco Pierre White, travelled around France working in chateaux kitchens and gained experience in Michelin-star establishments – all before opening the Hotel and Bistro du Vin in Winchester as head chef just weeks before his 22nd birthday.

His TV career began in 1996 on Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast and BBC TV’s Ready, Steady, Cook.

He presented Saturday Kitchen for a decade from 2006 before moving to ITV for Saturday Morning with James Martin.

Recently he has been seen touring America for James Martin’s American Adventure and France in Keith Floyd’s car for James Martin’s French Adventure.

This celebratory show, which is split into two parts will centre around James’ travels as a chef in the first half, while the second is an homage to the 1980s.

Martin revealed: “We’ll have everything from soda streams toBbarbie dolls and Evel Knievel, but I won’t be busting out Kevin Bacon’s dance routine from Footloose as I’m 46 now.”

“It’s not like Status Quo and every tour is the last ever, but we’re not doing another and it’s meant as a definitive thank you to everybody for their support over 25 years and a celebration of how stunning this country and its food is.”

While the nationwide tour is a celebration of British cuisine as a whole, Llandudno’s visit by the chef will incorporate some Welsh delicacies.

Martin said: “In fact the best meal I’ve ever had in the whole of the UK was part of a 20-course banquet at Gareth Ward’s Ynyshir restaurant, near Snowdonia.”

“People from more rural regions like North Wales really understand great food and how much work it takes to grow and rear, so I find they’re really appreciative of good cooking with proper ingredients.

“We try and tailor each show to the region – up to a point – and we’ll be taking advantage of the amazing meats, famous lamb and great cheeses from the coast. 

"One of the best gins in the UK I’ve tasted is from North Wales – but which one will remain a secret until my next show airs in February.”

Martin has recently wrapped up filming on his latest culinary travelogue, a spiritual successor to his French and American adventures, which audience members in Llandudno can catch a sneak peak of during the show.

The show – which will see him travel from Orkney to Cornwall and all over Wales – will build upon his use of Keith Floyd’s old Citroen 2CV France and a Mustang in the States by putting him in the driver’s seat of a classic Mini Cooper S.

Martin, a trained pilot, hinted: “I’ll also be flying around the country in some iconic plane. I can’t give it all away but there will be a Spitfire!”
Join Martin live on stage at Venue Cymru on Sunday, October 28 at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £39, available from venuecymru.co.uk or by calling the box office on 01492 872000.

To be in with a chance of winning the two tickets, all you have to do is answer the following question: At which restaurant did Martin have his best meal in the UK? All answers must be emailed to duncan.rieder@newsquest.co.uk by midnight on Wednesday, October 17.