7.45 – 8.45pm
Martin Blunos
Born and brought up in Bath, Martin was influenced by his mother's wholesome cooking from her homeland of Latvia, as well as by his Russian relatives.
His first restaurant was named Restaurant Lettonie (French for Latvia), on the edge of Bristol, and nine years later, in 1997, he opened a larger version of Lettonie in Bath. The restaurants, both of which have now closed, were each awarded two Michelin stars.
Martin learned his craft through college training in Cheltenham. He did a spell at the Strand Palace Hotel in London, a season in Switzerland and went on many a cruise on a Greek tycoon's yacht before settling down in a job at Lampwick's on London's Battersea Road.
Martin now lives in Bath with his wife, Sian, a trained chef herself, their two sons, Leon and Max, and daughter Coco. He now concentrates on consultancy and television work, and he is currently writing a book on Eastern European cookery.
Martin appears regularly on television and radio with slots as guest chef on UKTV's Great Food Live, Food Uncut and Saturday Kitchen. He has also appeared on BBC's MasterChef Goes Large. He was chosen to cook for the Queen during her jubilee year celebrations, which was documented in the BBC series All the Queen's Cooks. He appeared in the BBC Two series Food Poker in autumn 2007.