James Martin reveals surprising twist on KFC-style chicken

The celebrity chef took to the stage three times today (August 29), demonstrating his culinary skills while keeping audiences entertained with plenty of jokes along the way.

One of the dishes saw James recreate the fast-food favourite using his own unusual addition – cornflakes.

James spoke about KFC’s famously guarded blend of herbs and spices, telling the audience he had found a version of the recipe online after it was reportedly revealed by a relative of the chain’s founder, Colonel Harland Sanders.

He used the seasoning to create his own version of the chicken but swapped a conventional breadcrumb coating for crushed cornflakes to give it a crispy finish.

James also made homemade mayonnaise to serve alongside the chicken, demonstrating how to make it from scratch for the audience.

Another dish he managed to demonstrate in just under 35 minutes was a French onion tart, made using puff pastry and chopped onions cooked in butter before being finished with crème fraîche.

The fast-paced cooking was mixed with stories, tips and jokes from James, who has become one of the festival’s most familiar celebrity faces.

Reflecting on his long association with the event, he told the crowd: “We’re back here, 16 years I have been doing this.”

“It’s great to be here.”

This year’s appearance also marked a change from his usual festival routine.

James has traditionally appeared on bank holiday Monday but was instead on stage on Saturday this year – something he was more than happy to joke about.

He said: “It’s so nice to have the bank holiday off, it will be the first one in ages.

“They got me in today instead – and after last night, now I know why, because I was cooking hundreds of starters for last night’s gala dinner!”

His appearances followed a busy Friday evening at the festival, when he was among the chefs cooking for the gala dinner.

The Yorkshire-born chef, who now lives in Hampshire, also found himself back in more familiar northern weather.

He joked that he had not seen rain for four months at home, only to arrive in Bolton as the rain poured down outside.

Speaking to The Bolton News ahead of his demonstrations, James praised the event and explained why he has continued returning to Bolton over the years.

He said: “It’s the biggest and the best.”

Bolton Food and Drink Festival continues until Monday, August 31, with food and drink stalls, live entertainment and demonstrations taking place across the town centre.