Local cook faces famous food critics (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Local cook faces famous food critics

9:23am Thursday 21st June 2007 in News By Tom Shepherd

TOP chef Alison Brown could make it to the final of a national cooking competition if she continues to win over four famous food critics.

The South Cerney resident recently cooked up a storm for TV's Eating with the Enemy, which is due to be broadcast on BBC2 in the autumn.

Presented by TV chef James Martin, the programme is searching for the best home cooks in the country.

In one round Alison's fish pie and Eton Mess received mixed critisicm from top food critics Charles Campion, Jay Rayner, Kate Spicer and Toby Young.

"Cooking is my passion," she said. "I was looking online at different websites and in a mad moment I thought I would have a go at this competition.

"There was a cook-off with myself and a chap from Clevedon. We had to cook a main course and a dessert. Fish pie with carrots and asparagus is one of my stock meals and I think it went very well. I was quite pleased.

"The judges said all sorts of things. They said the fish pie was under-seasoned and they didn't like the Eton Mess because it had rhubarb in it, not strawberries or raspberries, and it wasn't messy enough!"

With each successful round, Alison must come up with a new dish and return to London for another filming session.

She said: "It's been really exciting and a bit terrifying that I have to do it again. I would really like to win."

To find out how Alison gets on in the competition look out for TV's Eating with the Enemy.