TV star James Martin mixes cars and cuisine as he becomes a curator of the inaugural London Classic Car Show

TV chef and car nut James Martin is cooking up the perfect dish for visitors to January’s London Classic Car Show. His ingredients include a scattering of classic Minis and a fistful of Ferraris with a Ford Mustang garnish.

For as well as running his own café at the show, the star of Saturday Kitchen is a curator of the event and has been tasked with gathering displays of classic cars that have a particular personal meaning.His starter is a gathering of five historically important Minis, all from his personal collection, which will be displayed inside the James Martin Classic Café.The main course, meanwhile, includes a pair of rare Ferraris – a 275GTB and a Testarossa – and the Ford Mustang, all of which will be driven up and down one of the show’s unique features, The Grand Avenue.Held at ExCeL in London’s Docklands from 8-11 January 2015, the London Classic Car Show is no static exhibition. Grand Avenue, a runway driving through the heart of the show, will be active at regular points throughout the event, giving visitors the chance to see (and hear) some of the world’s most valuable classic cars in action.For James Martin, the London Classic Car Show is the perfect way to start the new year.“There are two passions in my life, cars and cooking,” he said. “At the London Classic Car Show I will be able to combine the two… what could be better?“I am particularly proud of the Mini display. I grew up driving Minis and I’ve always had a massive soft spot for the little car. I have been extremely fortunate in being able to collect some significant examples, some of which will be on display at the show.”Most notable among these is, perhaps, the ‘works’ Cooper S that the legendary Paddy Hopkirk rallied back in 1963. The James Martin Classic Café, meanwhile, will provide what he calls ‘good, simple grub’. In keeping with its surroundings, the café’s food will be dished up from a trio of classic vans and will be accessible by all visitors to the event.The London Classic Car Show is the latest creation from Brand Events, the company behind all-action car shows like Top Gear Live.Another show curator is Top Gear’s James May who will be putting together a thought-provoking collection of ‘Cars That Changed The World’. Other highlights include a special display celebrating the 60th anniversary of the dramatic Citroën DS and a first look at the new DS brand. The show will also have displays from leading classic car clubs, dealers and specialists.Tickets are now available from the show website – www.thelondonclassiccarshow.co.uk – where early bird discounts reduce the on-the-door standard entry price from £25 to just £22.Also available are family and group tickets, premium entry packages and access to the exclusive Preview Evening on the opening night, Thursday 8th January. Premium Tickets, which have limited availability, will give visitors access to The Grand Avenue’s premium viewing area, a drink and complimentary cloakroom plus a free copy of Octane magazine.