Tag Archive: Rick Stein

1. The winners of BBC Masterchef: James Nathan

   May 7, 2012 9:35 am Leave a Comment

   Each day, we’re taking a look at the winners of BBC Masterchef, with a look at their inspirations, winning dishes and what they’ve been up to since winning the show. We’re starting off with the winner of the show in 2008, James Nathan.

   A great picture of James Nathan with Chips by Salt Productions

   James Nathan swaps the courtroom for the kitchen as he’s crowned 2008’s Masterchef winner

   He always wanted to be a chef. So it came as no surprise when James Nathan traded in his bands and tabs for an apron and rolling pin.

   Pursuing the dream of becoming a chef

   Nathan admits to training as a barrister to please his parents – not himself and only began to feel true to his passions after moving to Spain to pursue his dream of becoming a chef.

   But it wasn’t all plain sailing as he was refused a license to transform the building in Spain he’d selected for a restaurant location. He had no choice but to return to England and when he applied to Masterchef, he was working as a mechanic and admits he was at ‘rock bottom.’

   His luck soon turned around though and after six weeks of heats, a week of semi-finals, seven gripping days of finals and some stiff competition from fellow contestants Emily Ludolf and Jonny Stevenson, he won the prestigious title of Masterchef Winner in 2008.

   Winning Masterchef

   2008’s series pushed the contestants to their limits and saw Nathan sweating under pressure in the jungle of Belize, cooking in Michelin-starred restaurants and being on the receiving end of some harsh criticism from the world’s top chefs.

   In his own words:

   I wasn’t entire comfortable in the Michelin star restaurants, they are serious and there are some big egos. I think if I were a young man I would recommend anyone working there but I just couldn’t keep up, it was unbelievably competitive and intimidating.

   Nathan’s winning menu

   Nathan’s winning menu consisted of a starter of Mozzarella Ravioli, a main course of Picked Red Cabbage and Venison infused with Lapsang Souchong Tea and a dessert of Chocolate and Orange Pudding.
   When asked whether Mastchef really is as nerve-racking as it looks, he answered:

   Yes! It is all pure adrenaline. But it is also enormously enjoyable and rewarding. I have continued to keep up TV work and have cooked live on GMTV, The Alan Titchmarsh Show, BBC Breakfast and Market Kitchen.

   Try the menu yourself

   Recipes are available online if you fancy trying your hand at trying James Nathan’s starter of Smoked mozzarella ravioli with cherry tomato sauce and basil cream with a main of Tea-infused venison with roast potatoes, pickled red cabbage and rich port sauce and for dessert a Chocolate and orange sponge pudding

   Life after winning the show

   Since the show, Nathan shunned offers of TV work to get stuck into the slog of being in a top kitchen. He states: ‘I wanted to get in at the dirty end and learn how to cook properly.’

   After a stint at Michael Caines’ Michelin-starred The Bath Priory, he now works as a chef at Rick Stein’s The Seafood Restaurant in Cornwall.

   Nathan admits working at the The Bath Priory was ‘extremely demanding’ but stood him in good stead to take on the any challenge in the world’s best kitchens.

   Speaking of the curly haired cook, Rick Stein comments: ‘When James arrived as a winner of Masterchef, we thought he was going to be too cool for school, but not a bit of it – he’s a valued part of the brigade and works very hard.’

   He lives in Penrose, near Padstow in Cornwall where he enjoys the scenery and local surf.

   Long-term goals include opening his own restaurants and getting a cookbook published that documents his journey from amateur to professional. He says whatever he does, ‘I will definitely be immersed in cookery.’ Let’s just hope he gives the Spanish property market a wide berth!

2. 5 easy recipe ideas you must try this summer

   May 1, 2012 1:11 pm Leave a Comment

   
   With the forthcoming Birmingham NEC food show we felt it was time to give you a taste of what’s to come – with some summery ideas inspired by star speakers and guests at the show.

   The Good Food Summer food festival this year will include Saturday Kitchen’s James Martin, Nigel Slater and none other that the Hairy Bikers. With the anticipation of summer we felt that some summer recipes would you get everyones taste buds going.

   To get you in the spirit of Summer, here are some easy summer food ideas to add a taste of summer to your kitchen.

   James Martin’s roasted vegetable and mozzarella picnic loaf

   Celebrity chef, James Martin is first on our summer picnic recipe list. The host of BBC 1′s Saturday Kitchen he is also the co-owner of Cadogan & James delicatessens in Hampshire. To get the summer picnic started why not try your hand at James Martin’s picnic loaf? This tasty bread has all the ingredients you need for a mediterranean feast in the great outdoors.

   Packed full of olives, aubergines and stuffed with mozzarella it will leave you feeling as if you are dining al fresco in the warm Italian sun.

   James Martin’s vegetable and mozarella picnic loaf

   Nigel Slater’s classic fettuccine Alfredo

   Why not add a bit of bite to your picnic in the park with Nigel Slater’s classic fettuccine Alfredo? This delightful dish can be made in an instant and is the perfect accompaniment to any salad.

   Not only is Nigel the host of Simple Suppers on BBC One, he is also known for his publication and award winning autobiography, Toast: The Story of A Boy’s Hunger, a extraordinary story of a childhood remembered through food.

   Nigel Slater’s classic fettuccine Alfredo

   Rick Stein’s artichoke and prosciutto salad with rocket

   When it comes to summer recipes, you could go a long way to find better culinary delights than that of Rick Stein. Rick is not only the author and host of many cooking shows and books, but also the owner of a delicatessen, patisserie, gift shop, cafe and several restaurants in the West Country, causing his residing town of Padstow in Cornwall to be nicknamed ‘Padstein’. To add a bit of crunch to your summer picnic a salad makes the perfect choice. Complete with a lemon dressing it is full of salty goodness from the prosciutto and a summer citric kick.

   Light and healthy but full of all the summer ingredients, it is the perfect food for a picnic in the park.

   Rick Stein’s artichoke and prosciutto salad with rocket

   John Torode’s roast red pepper, chorizo and garlic toasts

   

   John Torode is one half of the BBC Masterchef duo. The Australian born chef works alongside Gregg Wallace to co host the cooking show, searching for new talent. You can find one of Torodes restaurants at Smithfield Market in London.

   Another great summer recipe is John Torode’s roast red pepper, chorizo and garlic toasts. A Spanish inspired nibble that is no stranger to a picnic in the park. When it comes to a summer picnic you don’t need to limit your summer food ideas. That is why these toasts make a great addition to your picnic table. The spicy chorizo makes the vibrant red toasts extremely moorish.

   John Torode’s roast red pepper, chorizo and garlic toasts

   The Hairy Bikers summer berry trifle

   David Myers and Simon King make up the celebrity chef duo better known as the Hairy Bikers – and also more recently on BBC TV, The Hairy Bakers. Renowned for their interesting take on food they are on more of a food pilgrimage than purely cooking for show!

   No summer picnic is complete without the trifle. The Hairy Bikers summer trifle has a few tips that will stop the cream from sinking and ensure your custard is thick and creamy. Don’t forget to whip that cream by hand, that way you will know when it is at its best.

   The Hairy Bikers summer berry trifle

   These fantastic summer recipes are just a little taste of summer to get you started.

   Not only does Summer bring fantastic seasonal food – its also a great time to get out and enjoy the fresh air at the UK’s largest food and gardening event at the Birmingham NEC. The place to be if you want more inspiration and to see some of these fantastic chefs in action.