James brings his recipes for success to Barnaby's

CELEBRITY chef and star of Saturday Kitchen, James Martin, was guest of honour at a very special event in Barnaby's Restaurant on the Ballyrobert Road in Ballyclare on Wednesday, March 24.

James was at Barnaby’s to demonstrate his culinary skills to his fans and to foodies using only locally sourced ingredients. He shared his recipes and top cooking tips with a large crowd of guests.

There was huge interest in this event, with tickets sold out after just six days, and a reserve list created with almost 700 names of people desperate to attend.

Outside of his TV work, James co-owns a kitchen design/manufacturing company in St Albans, is a food consultant on the cruise ship Ocean Village, and is now planning to open a new restaurant at Elland Road football ground in Leeds.

James was very excited about coming to Newtownabbey.

“I was really looking forward to coming to Barnaby’s restaurant; it’s the perfect place to dine with an extended Grill Menu and Specials Menu and for the next few weeks the chefs will feature dishes and recipes that I have previously cooked and featured in my books,” he told the Times.

“Barnaby’s are growing their own vegetables and salads and only use locally sourced produce from farm markets and butchers and they have told me that the fish is caught in the North Atlantic Sea and off the shores of Strangford.

“I spent quite a while in Barnaby’s polytunnel with local nursery children from Mallusk Community Playgroup and volunteers from Action Mental Health who have helped the chefs plant the seeds and are assisting in the maintainance of the salad leaves and vegetables.

“The cooking demonstration night was a great success and I was well looked after by all the staff and management. I had such a great time that I am returning to Barnaby’s in November for a very special festive evening. The event has certainly put Barnaby’s top of the list in my recommended places to eat.”

This cook-in with James Martin is just one of many events that the restaurant will be holding throughout the year.

Barnaby’s Restaurant was first established in 1998 on the site of an old farmyard barn, hence the name. Situated in lush countryside, the restaurant boasts scenic views over the 18th hole of the Greenacres Golf Course and provides fine dining in the award winning Taste of Ulster restaurant with a relaxing, elegant atmosphere.

The restaurant has enjoyed extensive renovations, with a new Garden Suite at the rear and a new conservatory which is to be completed by May.

Those who haven’t visited Barnaby’s lately will be pleasantly surprised with the changes that have been made.