James Martin was back on our screens today as he hosted James Martin’s Saturday Morning and the ITV chef made a candid confession about the milk market in Britain
James Martin hailed British farmers(Image: ITV)
James Martin made a frank admission on his ITV programme, James Martin’s Saturday Kitchen, today (November 15).
Whilst chatting with Cotswolds farmer Simon Weaver, who had supplied ingredients for James’ delectable Apple and Honey Jalousie, the chef reflected on the brutal realities facing Britain’s milk industry.
James acknowledged knowing people who had been compelled to pour away milk due to poor sales, remarking: “I want to go back to you and the milk business. I’m mean notoriously difficult anyway, farming.
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“I hugely appreciate everything farmers do around this country, but the milk industry, I mean, it’s brutal for you.
“I’ve got mates of mine who are milking cattle and it was going in the drain.”, reports the Mirror.
Simon provided a more encouraging perspective, explaining that those tough times were “a little while ago” and noted: “It’s actually quite good.”
He elaborated: “But the market goes up and down and you can have a little bit too much milk in the market and there’s no room for your milk. At the moment, it’s quite good. Prices are quite good.”
Nevertheless, he revealed that numerous farming colleagues had tragically abandoned the profession because of the devastating conditions. Adding: “A lot of dairy farmers have left the industry now and it’s getting fewer and fewer of us left standing, so milk’s not as plentiful as it was and probably likely to be less so as more people are squeezed out of the industry.”
James was speaking with Simon, who was at his farm Simon Weaver Cotswolds Organic Dairy in Upper Slaughter.
Today’s instalment of James Martin’s Saturday Morning also featured former A Place in the Sun presenter Scarlette Douglas alongside her brother Stuart Douglas, who present the Channel 4 property show Can Sell, Must Sell.
The pair shared insights about working together, including a row over a chair with stiletto heels during a renovation project.
Scarlette even dragged their mother into the spat, with Stuart getting a proper telling-off.
Stuart joked that he was hoping to catch some Vitamin D after joining forces with Scarlette, given her previous stint on A Place in the Sun, but it hadn’t panned out that way.
Instead, Stuart faced far more dreary and damp weather than any sunny locations.
“Since he’s come along, there’s been no sunshine,” Scarlette joked.
However, Stuart remarked: “It’s been really good to work with my sister.”
Scarlette also revealed how she landed her major breakthrough thanks to I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! hosts Ant and Dec..
She detailed how interviewing the presenting duo helped her career and she gained advice from them, which later led to her A Place in the Sun role. Scarlette continued to discuss her ambitions for breaking into the American market, revealing that she has been shuttling between the US and UK for various meetings.
She shared her strategy of convincing US television executives about the potential success of property shows by presenting them with UK audience statistics. “I’ve learned how to sell myself in the States,” Scarlette confessed, optimistically adding: “Hopefully, something will come up soon.”
The episode also showcased culinary talents Tommy Banks and Kenny Atkinson, who prepared some mouth-watering dishes.
Kenny whipped up a delectable poached and roasted quail with apple, hazelnuts and prune, while Tommy served a succulent beef dish.
James also took viewers through the steps of creating a classic French dessert Raspberry Mille-Feuille and a Spanish cake adorned with caramel-dipped cherries.
