The GOOD life

MARCUS WAREING on inviting cameras back to his thriving smallholding

- REBECA FLETCHER

MARCUS WAREING'S TALES FROM A KITCHEN GARDEN

NEW MONDAY-THURSDAY, 6.30PM, BBC2 COOKERY

When Marcus Wareing decided to cultivate a potager at his beautiful East Sussex home, he had one aim in mind: to slow down.

Instead, as you'll see during the return of his BBC2 show, Tales from a Kitchen Garden, the celebrity chef's foray into farming and growing produce has made him busier than ever - and he couldn't be happier.

This place has given me a whole new lease of life,' smiles the Michelin-starred restaurant owner and judge of BBC1's MasterChef: The Professionals. I'm more active than I was a year ago, but in a good way, as I've found a new passion.

I've gone back to nature. Now I'm cooking over fires, growing pumpkins and chasing pigs!"

Starting in February 2022, the opening series followed Marcus, 53, as he attempted to rear animals and grow vegetables at his 65acre smallholding, and the new 20-parter charts his ambitious plans for his flourishing kitchen garden and orchard.

There's so much I want to do,' says Marcus, who, here, in an exclusive interview, tells TV Times more...

You've clearly been busy since season one aired...

It's been a very steep learning curve! The first run involved me being told how to do things from scratch, and this time I visit local growers and farmers to dig deeper into becoming better. What makes things grow better? Taste better? It's all about the plate of food: you can't be a good cook without great ingredients, so I need to up my game!

You tackle tomato growing in the first episode - any tips?