James teaches at "The Kitchen – Cookery School" at Chewton Glen, a cookery school and relaxed dining restaurant in New Milton, Hampshire. Martin's interest in performance cars was reflected by his entry of a 1948 Maserati A6GCS into the 2008 Mille Miglia. He failed to complete the televised race, withdrawing because of a dropped valve and broken crank. In 2009, Martin gained a private pilot licence. Martin has two dogs named Cooper and Ralph. Martin has been in a relationship with his long-term girlfriend Louise Davies since 2011. James met TV producer Louise on "Celebrity Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" Martin raced in the 2013 Masters Series in an Appendix K 1964 Mini Cooper S. On 23 June 2013 he took his first race win at the Brands Hatch Mini Festival, becoming the 2013 Champion of Mini Festival. Martin also raced a "works" GT Aston Martin at the Aston Martin Centenary Festival in July 2013 where he achieved a position of 9th out of 30 racers. His love of all things fast continued when he qualified as a helicopter pilot. In 2010, Martin was awarded the title of Honorary Professor by the University of West London, London School of Hospitality and Tourism along with Michel Roux, Raymond Blanc and Anton Mosimann. On 10 June 2013, Martin was honoured with The Craft Guild of Chefs Special Award. In 2015 he was named ‘TV Personality of the Year’ at the Fortnum & Mason Awards. James was inducted into the Guilde Internationale des Fromagers at the International Cheese Awards 2016.