James Martin's Islands to Highlands

James joins his friend and fellow chef Paul Rankin to sample the culinary delights of Northern Ireland, beginning with a visit to a wasabi farm. The pair then explore the waters of Lough Neagh, further showcasing the region’s distinctive food experiences.

The show is a short episode that forms part of a Northern Ireland programme. It is presented as a culinary‑focused feature, with the format centred on a single outing rather than a series‑long narrative. The episode’s purpose is to give viewers a taste of the region’s food culture through the eyes of two chefs. In this instalment, chef James teams up with his friend and fellow culinary professional Paul Rankin to sample the flavours that Northern Ireland has to offer. Their journey takes them to a wasabi farm, where they experience a crop that’s rarely associated with the island, and then on to the expansive waters of Lough Neagh for a further round of tasting. The visit to the wasabi farm provides a glimpse of an unexpected ingredient being cultivated locally. James and Paul explore the cultivation process, noting how the plant’s pungency can be incorporated into traditional dishes. Their interaction highlights the blend of innovation and heritage that characterises the region’s food scene. Later, the pair turn their attention to Lough Neagh, the largest lake in the country. While on its shores they sample produce that comes from the lake’s environs, allowing the two chefs to demonstrate how the water’s bounty can be turned into simple yet memorable meals. The episode therefore showcases both land‑based and water‑based culinary resources in Northern Ireland.