Celebrity chef James Martin delighted viewers during his ITV Saturday Morning show by sharing his late grandmother’s treasured scone recipe — a heartfelt cooking session filled with warmth and nostalgia. As he prepared the dough, James playfully told his co-stars to “leave him alone,” soaking in the moment of connection to his family history.
“I’m showing you the right way to make scones, just like Granny used to make,” he announced. Amusingly dismissing the pronunciation debate, he added, “Whether you call them scones or scons, I don’t care. If that’s your biggest worry, you need to get out more.”
Central to the demonstration was a special kitchen item: his grandmother’s Smith’s bowl. “This is the bowl I’m using — my late granny’s bowl. I used to watch her bake with it,” he shared fondly. “I haven’t changed her recipe — this is truly hers.”
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Reflecting on his grandmother’s influence, James recounted how she baked without modern machines, employing traditional techniques. “She had a magic touch,” he said. “We start by rubbing the butter and flour together — a process that used to take a good half hour. It really makes all the difference.”
As he shaped the scone dough, James was visibly moved by the memories. “I’m sure Granny Smith is watching down on me, chuckling,” he mused. “This is exactly why I got into cooking — the anticipation as the scones come out of the oven.”
The segment ended on a lighthearted note when James, during the taste test, ended up with cream and jam all over his face, much to the crew’s amusement. Unfazed, he declared, “I don’t care.” He then smiled and asked his co-presenters, “Just leave me alone for a bit,” fully immersing himself in this touching tribute.
James Martin’s Saturday Morning show continues next Saturday at 9.30am on ITV, promising more heartfelt cooking moments.