In some of the earlier episodes James Martin was absent and replaced by guest presenters Rachel Allen, Rick Stein, Angela Hartnett, John Torode, Valentine Warner, Aaron Craze, Gary Rhodes, Mark Sargeant, Michel Roux Jr, Theo Randall, and the Hairy Bikers Si King and Dave Myers.
James Martin like the previous host of this series Anthony Worrall Thompson would leave this series to host his own cooking show Saturday Morning for the rival channel ITV
Saturday kitchen was originally meant to promote the talent of up and coming chefs