Happy Birthday Martin! Ever wondered what goes on in a chef’s head when they’re the one eating? We got the answers straight from chef Martin…

Imagine you’ve just been handed the keys to your very own food truck – what’s it called, and what deliciousness are you serving up? ⁠
Cheese Dream – top quality cheese on toast, a proper range of breads, cheeses and condiments We’d queue round the block 🧀

What’s your wildest, most chaotic food combo that somehow works… and would probably make Gordon Ramsay gasp?
I went to a restaurant in Beijing that only served insects and it was surprisingly good – fried bees are excellent Did it leave you buzzing?! 🐝 😬

We all have them – which dish secretly makes you side-eye other people ordering it?
Scallops

You’ve woken up with a hangover from the depths of hell – what magical meal or snack brings you back to life?
It has to be one of my cheese on toasts….’in queso emergency’ 😉

On your travels beyond the UK, what’s the meal you can’t stop thinking about? The one that made you go “wow, this is unforgettable”?
Zuppi di Pesci in Positano over 30 years ago – unbelievable.

Back on home turf, what’s a memorable meal you’ve had in the UK? Bonus points if you tell us the restaurant and the dish – we’re secretly mapping out the ultimate foodie trail!
⁠I always enjoy going to nearby Hotaru. Really good Japanese food, friendly service, reasonably priced. I love their Nasu Goma (grilled aubergine in sweet sesame paste)

What is the best biscuit and don’t hold back, we want the full justification!
Anzac biscuit! I grew up on their oaty, syrupy goodness in Melbourne. Go Australia! 🇦🇺

If you could only eat one type of cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be, and why would it never get boring?
Italian. Diverse cultural and historical influences, but simplicity also matters.

⁠What’s the one item or condiment you reach for most in your kitchen – the unsung hero of all your cooking?
Salt. A true chef’s answer🧂

⁠Hard-hitting foodie question: Which supermarket is your ultimate favourite and what’s the one thing you absolutely can’t leave without?
Sainsbury’s because a bit like gyms, the best one is the closest one. And I rarely leave without a bottle of Rioja. We like your style 🍷

From fried bees in Beijing to Cheese on Toast in a crisis, Martin’s food philosophy is equal parts adventure and comfort. Just don’t order the scallops in front of him. Happy Birthday Martin! 🎂🧀