TV chef James Martin and his cocker spaniel Cooper are making final preparations ahead of their guest appearance at The Game Fair next month. Visitors can enjoy his bespoke menus, watch him give a gundog demo, and meet him at an afternoon reception.
As the longest-running and largest countryside festival in Britain, The Game Fair will attract 120,000 visitors when it returns to Ragley Hall in Warwickshire from Friday 29 July to Sunday 31 July 2022. A keen countryman, James is a huge exponent of cooking with game, making him the ideal chef to headline the event.
On Friday and Saturday of The Game Fair, visitors with Platinum and Gold Enclosure package tickets will be treated to James’ bespoke breakfast and lunch menus in The Enclosure restaurant, a VIP marquee for 300-covers that will provide a sanctuary from the crowds. The game-based menu will include wild chalkstream trout and red-legged partridge. As well as overseeing the delivery of his menu, James will mingle and chat to diners out front.
On the Friday afternoon after James has finished hosting lunch service, he will swap the griddle for a whistle and join renowned gundog trainer Jason Mayhew to put on a 40-minute main ring demo with his five-year-old blue roan cocker spaniel Cooper. He will be ably assisted by former England cricketer Matt Prior and his labrador Maxi as they both put their gundog handling skills on show to the public.
On the Friday and Saturday, visitors with Gourmet tickets can round-off their day with the Gourmet Gathering, hosted by James. Held on the INEOS Grenadier stand, the intimate hour-long reception is limited to just 150 tickets and will see guests enjoy game-based canapés and fizz. The Gourmet ticket also includes breakfast with The Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen, a half pint at Guy Ritchie’s Gritchie bar and ice cream sundae from Salcombe Dairy.
Platinum Enclosure package costs £225
• Entry to The Game Fair
• Cooked breakfast in The Enclosure
• Three-course lunch in The Enclosure and meet-and-greet with James Martin
• A welcome drink
• Priority parking
• Show guide
• All day access to The Enclosure, garden and lounge
• Shop & Drop
• VIP toilets
Gold Enclosure package costs £175
• Entry to The Game Fair
• Two-course lunch in The Enclosure and meet-and-greet with James Martin
• A welcome drink
• Priority parking
• Show guide
• All day access to The Enclosure, garden and lounge
• Shop & Drop
• VIP toilets
Gourmet Experience costs £65
• Entry to The Game Fair
• Breakfast with Amanda Owen in The Flying Pig on Friday or Saturday
• All day enjoy priority seating in the cookery theatre
• Ice cream factory or Tregothnan Tea
• Half a pint of Beer at Guy Ritchie’s Bar
• Gourmet Gathering with James Martin
Need to know
Where: Ragley Hall, Warwickshire
When: Friday 29 July to Sunday 31 July (8am to 6pm; to 7:30pm on the Friday. Stands and attractions open from 9am)
Ticket prices
Adult: £29 in advance for one day (gate price £35) or £58 for three days (three days for the price of two).
Family (2 adults and up to 3 children): £69 in advance (gate price £80) for one day or £140 for three days.
Children (8-16): £10 in advance for one day and £30 for three days.
Website: https://thegamefair.org
