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Saturday Kitchen is the perfect antidote to a busy week. It is a show packed with fabulously scrumptious food, inspiration and recipes that viewers are encouraged to recreate at home.
This week’s guests who joined host Matt Tebbutt were drink writer Helen McGinn, chef-patron of two Michelin-starred Kitchen Table James Knappett, chef Andi Oliver and Scottish comedian and Love Island voiceover man Iain Stirling. Mateo Zielonka, aka The Pasta Man also made an appearance, creating stunning pasta in various colours that almost looked too pretty to eat.
The show, which scooped the best Programme Award at the annual Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards on Friday night, kicked off with guests in high spirits. The show’s award scoop was mentioned five times by various guests throughout the broadcast, which prompted fresh rounds of raucous celebratory laughter in the studio.
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Stirling had the studio in stitches with his funny quips and stories. Speaking about a yoga incident where someone stole his shoes, Stirling said: “I was a thin-guy-fat so I went to yoga. I came out of the yoga class. I had these little pants on that I thought were compulsory.
(Image: Iain Stirling)
“This guy was in the changing room and he had my shoes on his feet. Then I said to the man: ‘Oh those are my shoes.’ I was doubting myself as I thought: ‘There’s no way someone’s taken my shoes.’ Then he said: ‘No, they’re my shoes.’
“Then he left. So basically that’s my life, I try doing things to be a better human being and then they go wrong and I look mad a lot of the time.”
There were a range of delicious dishes cooked throughout the show which were matched by drink expert McGinn. James Knappett cooked spiced whole cauliflower with pilaf.
Matt Tebbutt cooked poached chicken with green harissa. Andi Oliver cooked sweet sticky pork ribs with root beer-braised onion cornbread.
Stirling saw off his Food Hell of grilled prawns with beans and shellfish oil. Instead, he tucked into his Food Heaven of herb crusted halibut with leeks and whipped brie.
Stirling said: “Oh my God that is so good.” At the top of the show, viewers on Twitter were thrilled at the happiness factor in Saturday Kitchen going through the roof.
Caroline wrote: “We’re only 8 minutes in and the laughter meter has already blown up!”
Making reference to Tebbutt’s repeated mentions of the show’s award win, @maunsC tweeted: “Is this the award winning Saturday Kitchen by any chance?”
Linda Bailey meanwhile gave credit where it is due by tweeting: “So pleased Matt that you and Saturday Kitchen won the award, well deserved.”
Fans of Andi Oliver loved her cooking style. @KurarRomini wrote: “You can feel the ease and brilliance of someone like @andisn16 who is so comfortable multi-tasking on telly!”
SciFi_Caroline wrote: “Lovely dish Matt, have to say been literally crying with laughter since 10am, now watching the wonderful Keith Floyd getting rained on. #saturdaykitchen therapy at its best.”
Viewers watching the Keith Floyd segment sympathised with the irreverent chef’s cooking style. Caesar Saleh wrote: “Keith Floyd managing to get that seasick feeling to come across through the magic of tv is incredible viewing. Feels like the camera guy is really struggling.”