Chef's Kitchen Panic: James Martin's Terrifying Moment with Guest
Celebrity chef James Martin has shared a heart-stopping revelation about a recent episode of his popular ITV programme, confessing he genuinely feared he might have 'killed' a guest during a live cooking segment. The incident, which occurred during an episode of James Martin's Saturday Morning, left the normally composed chef in a state of sheer panic as he watched his guest's face turn white.
The Choking Incident That Shook the Studio
Speaking candidly on the LNER podcast Routes, Martin recounted the alarming moment involving television presenter Jenni Falconer, who appeared on his show in 2024. The 53-year-old chef had prepared his signature chicken parmigiana for the 49-year-old host, with their conversation initially focusing on Falconer's career journey and passion for running. However, the lighthearted atmosphere turned tense when Falconer attempted to eat a piece of the chicken.
'It was too big for my mouth,' Falconer recalled on the podcast, explaining that despite Martin's suggestion to cut it smaller, she decided to proceed. 'I was like, ok, I've got to just eat this now – it's too big, but I'll be fine. And then I choked.'
A Chef's Moment of Crisis
Martin described watching Falconer's face drain of colour as she struggled, immediately sending him into a spiral of anxiety. 'What do I do? What do I do?' he remembered thinking, his mind racing through emergency procedures. The chef admitted he considered performing the Heimlich maneuver but found himself 'panicking' and uncertain whether the situation was serious or if Falconer was merely joking.
'It wasn't a joke at all, it was awful,' Falconer confirmed, though she did manage to add a culinary compliment: 'But it was delicious.' Martin responded with relieved laughter, telling her: 'I thought the first and only guest I've killed on the show is going to be you.'
Reflecting on a Narrow Escape
Both presenter and chef were able to look back on the potentially dangerous moment with humour during their podcast conversation, though Falconer admitted feeling 'mortified' by the entire ordeal. The incident represents a rare moment of genuine kitchen crisis for Martin, whose show has been a weekend television staple since 2017 without any previous serious incidents involving his food.
Beyond discussing the choking scare, Martin and Falconer explored the chef's culinary journey during their podcast appearance. Martin revealed he began washing pots at just eight years old and was working in professional kitchens by age ten, though his path wasn't without challenges. He spoke openly about failing exams – including cookery – and learning to navigate his dyslexia while pursuing his passion for food.
James Martin's Saturday Kitchen returns to ITV screens next Saturday at 9.30am, while the full conversation can be heard on the Routes podcast available through Spotify and Apple platforms.
