Saturday Kitchen legend James Martin might be best known for his great British grub, but this top chef has a not-so-secret love of classic cars, too. Here’s where he’s driving them…

Favourite road trip destination? 
Can I have two? Driving from South Wales, through Snowdonia and up to Ceredigion to see my mate Gareth Ward at the Ynyshir, the UK’s number one restaurant. And I have to include Yorkshire, of course! Starting from Pickering, over the North Yorkshire Moors, through Goathland – where they filmed Heartbeat – and dropping down into Whitby for fish ’n’ chips. What car? My old Bentley, for a bit of luxury. 

Top of your road trip bucket list?
Shamefacedly, I have to admit that I’ve never been to Japan. Cuisine is evolving all the time and there’s a real high-end Asian influence in a lot of the stuff we’re doing these days – we’ve recently started putting Hamachi [yellowtail] on the menu at some of my restaurants. I’d love to go straight to the source and see how they do it in one of those great Japanese kitchens.

Ultimate travel song? 
If I want to feel like I’m keeping up to date, I’ll listen to a bit of Coldplay, but I’m actually a blues guy at heart. BB King, anything by the Stones. Yes, I love the early stuff, but the Stones’ recent album, Hackney Diamonds, was fantastic. Listen to track three, ‘Depending On You’. You won’t be disappointed. 

Most dramatic road trip story? 
I’ve had a few! Almost 20 years ago, I bought an old Maserati and had my first go at the Mille Miglia. It’s a 1,000-mile race through Italy, with a police escort, at 150mph on normal roads... and it’s completely bonkers. If you’re ever in Italy when it’s on, go and see it!

Your three packing essentials?
We chefs are very particular about our knives. I’ve probably got about 20, but I try and get it down to three or four when I’m travelling. I never go anywhere without my Bragard chef’s jacket, which is the Savile Row suit of the food world. And my Bluetooth speaker because I don’t like to be without my music. 

What’s your dream car, and where are you driving it?
I bought my dream car 22 years ago and I’ve still got it: a 1964 Ferrari 275. Sadly, there’s so much traffic these days that I don’t take it out much, but I’ve always wanted to get it over to the northwest coast of Italy. Head for somewhere like Portofino, then drop into Maranello, where it was built. 

Do you think you’re a good traveller?
You have to be doing this job. I’m up and down the country, over to Europe all the time. Because I grew up on a farm in the middle of nowhere, I’ve actually been driving since I was ten. I started on a tractor – all the young farm lads drove tractors – then a knackered old car. I’ve also got my pilot’s licence now, which is a whole different kind of fun. 

Craziest travel experience to date?
I’ve had the pleasure of driving the late Keith Floyd’s 2CV. It wasn’t one of those concours restoration jobs. It had a few dings and rust patches. But tootling along those narrow French country lanes in the footsteps – well, wheel tracks – of a TV cooking legend made me very happy. 

If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be?
Sorry, if this sounds boring, but it’d have to be France again. I went there in my early-teens, fell in love with the place and the food, did some of my training there. Not so bothered about all the glitz and glam of Saint-Tropez, but that middle bit – somewhere like Lyon or Annecy – is absolutely beautiful. 

James Martin Live is touring the UK through February and March. For more information visit cuffeandtaylor.com

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This article has been tagged Adventure, Driving