A KEEN amateur chef has become a dinner party host to the stars after his cooking skills featured in two TV shows.
Peter Polledri, 33, who lives off Rectory Lane, in Loughton, has just finished filming for an up-and-coming ITV show starring the film director and Times food critic Michael Winner.
He said: “My mum was sent an application form actually, and she passed it on to me.
“I was a little bit apprehensive because I know he's such a harsh food critic and to have him come round your house and judge your dinner party with a film crew was quite surreal really.”
Due to air in late February, Michael Winner's Dining Stars sees the famously ebullient food critic visit homes around the country before judging them on their hosting and cookery skills.
Peter, who works as a business manager for a magazine company in London, impressed his star guest with his mushroom risotto, herb encrusted rack of lamb, and nonna's apple pie.
He said: “He was really nice and said I was one of the best hosts. He pulled me up on a couple of things like I didn't heat the plates, but he was very friendly. He's not like he comes across on the shows or TV.”
No stranger to the screen, Peter was seen earlier this week on BBC2 when he made an appearance on the Hairy Bikers' cookery programme.
“My sister sent me the application and the producers came and met me,” he said. “I think they were interested because my father and grandfather used to own restaurants in the West End. I've always been round catering.
“They came round and spent the day at my mum's house filming me cooking with my family recipes and had dinner with us.
“They're just like you see them on TV- a really good laugh.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here