James Martin travels France for UKTV Food

Rex Features

UKTV Food has commissioned a new series from celebrity chef James Martin.

Martin retraces a journey he took across France as a student in his camper van, looking for good local produce and indulging in "impromptu cooking".

Alan Ravenscroft, who is producing James Martin's French Connection for indie Eagle Media, said: "James is joined in his motor-home by one of four fellow British chefs, including The Hairy Bikers and Lawrence Keogh, who assist him on his culinary quest to produce a spontaneous, innovative dish.

"The chefs start each day with a visit to a local market, where they sample and buy the freshest local produce. As a result, every dish that they prepare is 100% spontaneous - whatever looks good on the day goes into the pot."