If you are not sure whether spuds can get any more interesting than chips, mash and jacket potatoes, then think again, First TV’s chef Ben Ebbrell took a potato masterclass…

Last week I was lucky enough to attend a potato masterclass in London, run by the Potato Council, yes, such a thing does exists! Surrounded by bucket loads of muddy spuds, passionate potato farmers, enthusiastic ambassadors and dieticians it was set to be an interesting evening.

As a chef, I was happy with my potato knowledge until I realised how much I was missing out on. There is a whole world of potato madness out there that is over-looked and taken for granted. They shouldn’t just be that veg that is thrown into a meal to bulk up the plate as an after-thought. Instead, the humble spud should be honoured for their global popularity and versatility.

Celebrity chef Sanjay Dwivedi whizzed us through three simple and tasty dishes that prove potatoes can be as easy and quick to prepare as rice or pasta and should be enjoyed all year round. Then it was our turn to get hands on. Split into groups we cooked up another ten brilliantly straightforward dishes focussed on potato, each as simple and tasty as the rest. My personal favourite was the chorizo and spinach potato wedges. Cooked in just 15 minutes and perfect for the summer sun makes this recipe a winner.

There are over six million tonnes of potato grown in the UK each year covering more than 80 different varieties. With so much to choose from, huge advantages in sustainability and nutrition and endless options for cooking them, there is no excuse not to be making the most of this British classic.

Check out Ben on FirstTv at www.firsttv.tv.