James Strawbridge addresses being so ‘nervous’ about BBC show

James Strawbridge shows off his 'exciting' vegetable cookbook

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James Strawbridge, who is the eldest son of Escape to the Chateau star Dick Strawbridge, has his own BBC cooking programme which was filmed across Northern Island. The show is called Strawbridge over the Drawbridge and the chef is tasked with trying to impress the owners of magnificent country houses and estates with his meals. The 38-year-old old exclusively spoke to Express.co.uk about the three-part series making him “nervous”. 

For the series, James has to digest everything he’s learned about the homes he has visited and create a meal which reflects that. 

He has to impress the owners of the houses with the dishes he rustles up in their kitchens. 

Each owner has a silver bell present with them at dinner, but James only hears it ring if they have decided his cooking is up to scratch. 

Will all the homeowners in the series approve of the chef’s meals?

James spoke exclusively to Express.co.uk about the “fantastic” properties he had the opportunity to explore and cook in as part of his new series. 

He explained: “I think it’s kind of only when you go, almost when you’ve got full access, and go behind the scenes you really appreciate some of these properties. 

“There are obviously the ones that are open to the public, by National Heritage, all around the UK. 

“That’s great, but when I was in Northern Ireland, it was almost a mind-blowing experience to get to go into people’s homes and see how lords and ladies live in these gorgeous, massive houses.” 

However, James admitted he got “nervous” about cooking meals for the homeowners throughout the series. 

He said he was taught how Northern Irish people like their meals to be “quite honest and simple”. 

“They also want to celebrate their local ingredients,” James added. 

“I was confident that the food tasted good because I liked the look of it and I wanted to eat it but I just didn’t know what you know what the homeowners wanted.

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“So when it came time for them to sort of choose whether or not they are going to ring that bell I was really nervous.” 

In the third episode, James visits Greyabbey House in County Down, Bill and Daphne Montgomery’s home. 

The estate owns three islands on the Lough which are leased to The National Trust.

He discovers how the Montgomery family’s land in Greyabbey is all down to a large cheese.

James also hears how one of Bill’s unfortunate relatives met a horrific death at the hands of a pirate.

Elsewhere in the episode, James uncovers how a slippery sea substance was once a major source of income for local workers and landowners, before getting a taste of the stuff harvested fresh from the water. 

Greyabbey is steeped in history and interesting stories but does the meal James cooks for Bill and Daphne get the ring of approval?

Strawbridge over the Drawbridge is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. 

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