Celebrity chef James Martin has candidly discussed his "obsessive" nature, revealing that even his girlfriend comments on his intense focus on the finer details of his work.
A Chef's Confession: 'That's What My Girlfriend Says'
The 53-year-old TV personality, a staple of Saturday morning television for nearly two decades, made the admission during an appearance on Good Housekeeping's My Life in a Biscuit Tin podcast. When questioned about his renowned attention to detail and unique brand, Martin quipped, "That's what my girlfriend says."
Pressed on whether this meticulousness makes him "a bit of a nightmare to be around," the chef, who runs several restaurants across the UK, offered a surprising explanation for his sharp eye.
Enhanced Vision and an Obsessive Eye
"Not really. I'm obsessed with everything. I see everything," Martin responded. He then revealed that refractive lens surgery has heightened his perception. "Worse now I've had my eyes done... I had full refractive lens surgery, so I had the lenses taken out and had new ones put in. It's scary, I can see around corners now."
He joked that this has made colleagues wary, stating, "People are now scared at work because I can see stuff a mile off. I see veins on a tree. I can read without glasses. It's amazing."
The Professional Drive Behind the Perfectionism
Martin, who has been in a long-term relationship with TV producer Louise Davies since they met in 2011, attributes this relentless focus to the demands of his industry. For him, "detail is everything."
He elaborated on his professional philosophy, explaining the constant pursuit of improvement. "So can I stop that attention to detail in terms of the industry, always wanting to be better every single day? And can I when I walk into a TV production do the same? I think you can have that attention to detail. It still matters to people watching."
Martin compared his TV work to running his restaurant empire, highlighting a rigorous routine of evaluation. "We all have a meeting at the end of the day. What worked, what didn't work. What could be better... And we all have a meeting in the morning, what's coming up. That's what we do in the restaurant business. It's a chef thing."
He concluded by emphasising his commitment to learning, stating he always arrives early to work in a bid to improve and "learn more."
Catch James Martin on James Martin's Saturday Morning on ITV from 9.30am to 11.45am.
