Show exit leaves a bitter Taste in mouth for Shrewsbury chef James

The father-of-two from Heath Farm was voted off the show last week after failing to hit the mark with judges Nigella Lawson, Ludo Lefevre and Anthony Bourdain.

"I tried to be clever and it didn't work," said James, a former children's nurse and cage fighter.

"It could either have been brilliant or awful, and it was awful. I think it was down to the concentration of flavours in one mouthful. Perhaps if it had been a whole dish rather than just one spoonful it would have worked better."

James was eliminated after his twist on pan-fried sea bass which he served with parsnip, apple, fennel seeds, red peppercorns and pickled onions, failed to live up to expectations.

"I was up against two other chefs whose food was amazing, so I knew it was going to be me," said James.

"We kept looking at each other all the while as the judges sat in their room discussing who was to go. Ludo was getting really animated so I knew it was one of his team who would be going.

"Kirsty, the other contestant from Team Ludo, was such a strong chef that I knew it would be who was off. I was gutted to be told to leave but I deserved it. Being on the show has had a really profound effect on me and has made me real-ise even more that this is what I want to do."

James, 35, will now be concentrating his efforts on his pop-up restaurants and private dining business.

"I may well cook some of the food that I made on The Taste, although perhaps not the sea bass dish," he said.

"I will definitely be serving my rice pudding which I was named chef of the week for on the show. It is an epic dish and one I am very proud of."

James' next pop-up restaurant will be at Shrewsbury Coffee House on February 28.

For more details or to book a table visit www.jamessherwinathome.com