LEADING Welsh chef James Sommerin has picked St David’s Day to showcase his unique culinary skills at his new restaurant in Penarth.

James, who opened fine dining Restaurant James Sommerin at The Esplanade, Penarth, in May last year, has chosen St David’s Day to present his first chef’s demonstration.

James, who held a Michelin star for seven years when executive head chef at The Crown at Whitebrook, near Monmouth, waited for the precise time to stage his first chef’s dem at his new restaurant.

Just a matter of a few months after opening Restaurant James Sommerin was listed at number 30 in the coveted 2015 Good Food Guide top 50 restaurants in the UK, with an impressive 7 out of 10 food rating.

James, from Caerleon, said: “As a proud Welshman there can be no better day to show case my techniques and skills using excellent Welsh produce than on St David’s Day.

“The chef’s demonstration, with three course meal to follow, is my opportunity to express myself as a Welsh chef at the top of my game, present some fabulous Welsh produce and to show what Restaurant James Sommerin, a top Welsh fine dining restaurant, is all about.

“It is exciting and also, if I’m honest, a little nerve wracking.”

Father of three James, whose wife Louise also works in the restaurant, will invite guests to quiz him on his cooking and also to tour the premises including the kitchen.

Eldest daughter Georgia, aged 16, who is studying GCSEs at West Mon School, Pontypool, who has been helping out in her dad's kitchen for the past couple of years both in Penarth and at Whitebrook, will also be in the kitchen on St David’s Day.

James said: “We positively encourage guests to come into the kitchen to meet the chefs and to see how their food is prepared and cooked.”

Restaurant James Sommerin has a full width window into the kitchen and also a chef’s table at the heart of the kitchen where people can dine while their food is prepared.

James said: “On St David’s Day I will be using all Welsh ingredients sourced from Welsh suppliers and created by our Welsh kitchen team. Even the wine accompanying the dishes we create for the meal afterwards can be said to be Welsh as it is created by a Welsh lady in her vineyard in France!”

James isn’t giving too much away ahead of the chef’s demonstration and meal but did say that he aimed to ‘blow people away’ with the food he demonstrates and produces for guests on the day.

The event begins at 11.30am with the demonstration starting at 12pm in the dining room for an hour and a half followed by 3 course lunch with accompanying wine, coffee and petit fours.

The afternoon is priced at £70 per person with each diner given a signed copy of the inaugural chef’s demonstration menu.

There are just a few places left so for details and to book the Restaurant James Sommerin chef’s demonstration and lunch visit www.jamesommerinrestaurant.co.uk or call 029 2070 6559