James Martin: why I love Highland cows and Scotland's larder

Martin, who will be appearing at the BBC Good Food Scotland Show at Glasgow's SECC next weekend, said: "I think Scotland has got one of the finest larders in the world. You've got such a variety from the Lowlands to the Highlands; there's amazing seafood, fresh fruit and all manner of different things.

"Langoustines are my favourite but, at the moment, we export around 90% of those that are caught, which is madness. I think people have to eat, understand and learn more about what's on their doorstep."

Martin also reveals that he has a soft spot for one of Scotland's most iconic creature, the Highland cow.

He added: "I love fresh Scottish raspberries and Highland beef. Highland cows amaze me as an animal and as a food, they're fantastic."

Martin grew up on a farm in Yorkshire and says his upbringing ignited his passion for cooking.

He said: "I was a farmer's kid and I was surrounded by great cooks like my grandmother, my aunty and my mum. When you're around those people it inspires you to do it too.

"I was not really academic but I enjoy cooking good food.

"The first dish I learned to make was a roast dinner and that gave me the basis for so many other dishes."

However, he's keen to stress that his career is not for the faint hearted.

He added: "If you're going to be a chef you have to really enjoy it. You will suffer the hours and you've got to give up so much of your life so you've got to love it. I think it's the best job in the world, lots of people don't, but I wouldn't like to be sitting in an office all day, it would do my head in."

Martin is set to host three 30 minutes demos using Scottish produce at the BBC Good Food Scotland Show, which runs from Friday, October 18 to Sunday, October 20.

The chef recently released his new book Fast Cooking: Really Exciting Recipe in 20 Minutes and hopes its quick recipes will encourage people to get back in the kitchen.

He said: "I'm looking forward to the show, I really enjoy it and it's good to get out of the kitchen and meet other chefs.

"The highlight of the show for me is the produce. When I did the Food Map of Britain series I was looking at the different produce that you have here and I learned so much. I never stop learning and I'm going to bring more stuff to this year's show in terms of knowledge and experience. I keep being asked back so I can't be all that bad!"

Martin is also determined to help improve food in hospitals. In his BBC series Operation Hospital Food he visited the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham to shake things up and he says it's a campaign he intends to continue supporting.

He said: "It came about five years ago when I went to the BBC with an idea and they went with it. This week I gave 25 people from the NHS in England a masterclass at my house and it's something I will continue to be involved in.

"The cafeterias at the hospitals we've visited had been running at a loss but we've changed them into profit making businesses and created food that's better for patients. There's no more money in the kitty so we're working with what we've got already. We're trying to do as much as we can given the time and limitations. The Government's not involved, they've got no interest in it so if you want to change things you've got to do it yourself."

As well as food, Martin also has a passion for cars and recently became the Champion of Mini Festival 2013 after winning a race at the Brands Hatch Mini Festival.

However, the Strictly Come Dancing 2006 semi-finalist, who recently received a special award from the Craft Guild of Chefs, says he's in no hurry to get back on the dancefloor.

He said: "I've given the dancing up now, I was no Billy Elliot. Getting to the semi-final was further than I ever thought I would go, I thought I'd be out in week one. It was really hard, people don't realise how many hours of training you have to put in, but I really enjoyed it."

James Martin will appear at the BBC Good Food Scotland Show at the SECC on Sunday, October 20.