Celebrity chef James Martin recently recounted a moment of sheer panic on his popular Saturday morning show, revealing he feared he’d accidentally harmed a guest.
The incident occurred during a 2024 episode featuring radio presenter Jenni Falconer. Martin had prepared a chicken parmigiana, and as Falconer took her first bite, a surprising situation unfolded.
Falconer admitted the portion was simply too large to comfortably fit in her mouth. Despite acknowledging she could have cut it, she attempted to eat it whole, leading to a frightening moment of choking.
Martin vividly remembers watching Falconer’s face turn white, instantly triggering a wave of anxiety. He desperately questioned what action to take, grappling with the possibility of a serious emergency.
He briefly considered performing the Heimlich maneuver, but was frozen by uncertainty, unsure if Falconer was genuinely in distress or simply reacting dramatically.
“It wasn’t a joke at all, it was awful,” Falconer clarified, adding with a laugh that despite the scare, the dish was “delicious.”
Martin, relieved and amused, confessed he feared he was about to claim the unfortunate title of having harmed his first guest on the show.
Falconer, understandably, was “mortified” by the ordeal, but the pair were able to reflect on the incident with good humor.
The conversation on the LNER podcast, Routes, also delved into Martin’s early beginnings in the culinary world. He fondly recalled starting as a pot washer at the tender age of eight.
His passion for cooking blossomed early, spending time in the kitchen from age ten. However, his path wasn’t without obstacles, including academic struggles and navigating the challenges of dyslexia.
Despite failing some exams, including cookery itself, Martin persevered, ultimately forging a successful and beloved career.
