Legendary TV chef will hang up his apron for good at Lancashire gastropub this week - here's why

Legendary chef and broadcaster Ken Hom has announced he will conduct his ‘last gig’ when he visits Lancashire this week.

Ken, 77, is known for bringing Asian cuisine to popularity in the UK in the 1980s with a range of TV series, books and kitchen equipment to his name. From tonight he will be hosting three nights of cooking at the Three Fishes in Mitton, which is owned by his “good mate”, chef Nigel Haworth.

Speaking on BBC Radio Lancashire this morning, Ken said: “It's just fun to be with him (Nigel). We're friends from way back now....This is actually going to be my last public gig. I'm preparing for 80's therapy. It's a fitting farewell to be with Nigel and his wonderful pub and restaurant, the Three Fishes and I got my dream dish, fish and chips."

When asked how the ‘chippy tea’ was, he said: "It's the best fish and chips. It's funny, I came to this country 55 years ago for the first time as a student, with my rucksack, and I remember falling in love with fish and chips. I said 'wow, I could live on this forever'."

Speaking about Ken, who has cooked at the Three Fishes previously, Nigel said "It's amazing because he's such an incredible guy, he's multi-talented obviously, from a cookery point of view. Ken and I got together in Bangkok back in January and I just said to him, 'would you fancy coming over and doing a bit of cooking' and these are the dates we got together in June."

Nigel added: "He's so warm and still has an incredible passion for food...he's cooked for anybody and everybody, so for him to finish his career in cookery in Lancashire, at the Three Fishes, is an amazing thing."

Ken said his decision to retire was not due to health problems, but because he is "enjoying not doing things", adding: “It's time to just chill out completely”. He said he plans to spend his time seeing friends, watching films and enjoying morning lie-ins.