Mon, Jan 11, 2010
The five contestants from Basingstoke for this week are: horseback riding lover Sophie Branfield, who believes she is living every little girl's dream by imminently marrying a rich investment banker; business development director Gill Bulley, who believes in love over money; electrician Richard Carpenter, who's a man's man in that he prefers an evening out with the guys for a few pints; art teacher Gabrielle Hennig, who because of her profession criticizes in what she believes is a friendly way; and marketing manager Spencer Uren, a vegetarian who has a fear of cats. Gill Bulley is the first to host the dinner party. Her menu consists of chicken, tarragon and grape salad (quorn salad for vegetarian Spencer) as the starter, beef stroganoff (mushroom stroganoff for Spencer) as the main course, and profiteroles for dessert. Most of the evening's conversation steers toward glamor girl Gill's life, from her collection of dresses - among which there are several evening dresses for business party functions - and her cosmetic surgery. The obvious differences between the five also emerge quickly. But how was the food and the hosting?
Tue, Jan 12, 2010
The five contestants assess their chances of winning based on meeting the other four and experiencing the first party hosted by Gill. They also assess how they will get on with the others for the remainder of the week. Sophie Branfield is second on the list to host the dinner party. Her menu consists of smoked salmon (pear, Roquefort and spinach salad for vegetarian Spencer) as the starter, beef Wellington (vegetable croustade for Spencer) as the main course, and lemon posset for dessert. The young and wealthy Sophie, who was most critical and opinionated at Gill's party (which some may have seen as immaturity), may have ruffled some feathers the wrong way which may affect how she's scored regardless of her food, of which she plans on using the best quality just because she can afford it. But she plans on winning by using the high tech culinary gadgets that populate her kitchen to their best use. But to win, she'll have to use them properly. A request by Gill during the meal and Sophie's reaction to that request may place a strain between the two.
Wed, Jan 13, 2010
Richard Carpenter is third on the list to host the dinner party. Although he is quietly confident, he is feeling that his home will suffer in comparison to Sophie's mansion and her eleven acre property. Richard's menu consists of butternut squash and sweet potato soup as the starter, rack of lamb (stuffed aubergine for vegetarian Spencer) as the main course, and bread and butter pudding for dessert. With a house full of dogs and cats, the cat-phobic Spencer may have troubles if he saw what happened in the kitchen during the meal preparation, but has troubles with the sight of Tigger, Richard's cat, during dinner. Beyond the animals, Richard mentions an additional house-guest, who the usually intuitive Gill can't feel. With the food, Richard has one disaster, which he decides to serve anyway. Will his guests notice?
Thu, Jan 14, 2010
As the week has progressed, definite likes and dislikes between people have emerged, but on the most part everyone has remained civil to each other. Gabrielle Hennig is the host for the evening. She is somewhat apprehensive about the evening if only because of what has come before in earlier dinner parties. Her menu consists of warm Italian mezze of mixed vegetables, quail's eggs and prawns as a starter, Italian rice with chicken goujons and spinach (quorn goujons for vegetarian Spencer) as the main course, and chocolate roulade for dessert. The diners have a good laugh at Gabrielle's expense behind her back regarding certain aspects of her meal. They are also amazed at the time warp they call her home, and the unusual arrangement she has with her ex-husband. For entertainment value alone, about which previous adversarial personalities bond, the diners have a great evening.
Fri, Jan 15, 2010
The diners are still in hysterics about last night's dinner by this the last party of the week. Spencer Uren is the last of this fivesome to host. He is quietly confident he can win based on his own menu and what has come before. His menu consists of poached eggs with asparagus as a starter, blue cheese stuffed chicken breasts (unstuffed for cheese hater Sophie) wrapped in Parma ham as the main course, and raspberry and orange syllabub for dessert. His menu is despite being a vegetarian himself, which he feels he shouldn't force on his guests. Despite some obvious dislikes of his food from some of the diners, Spencer is still confident he can win. He will soon find out if this confidence is warranted as he announces the winner of the £1,000. After Spencer makes the announcement, the winner makes another announcement of what will happen to half the winnings which brings tears to another. As a post-script, Spencer was diagnosed with cancer following the taping and died two months later at the age of thirty-six.
Tue, Jan 19, 2010
The five contestants assess their chances of winning based on meeting the other four and experiencing the first party hosted by Yvonne. Being the only single member of the group, Paul will indulge himself in what he considers some harmless flirtation during the week. Mark Hogg is second on the list to host the dinner party, which will be his own birthday dinner. His menu consists of crab risotto as the starter, lamb cutlets as the main course, and tangy lemon tart for dessert. Mark is confident about his menu, which he deems not difficult, but does require time management, which Mark seems to be lacking. When the food does comes out, Sarah, who was more adventurous last night with trying unfamiliar foods, is less so tonight. And true to his word, Paul spreads his flirting equally to all members around the table.
Wed, Jan 20, 2010
Kate Mayers is third on the list to host the dinner party. She admits to be an experimental cook, but will try to be a bit more precise if only because of the timing issues with Mark's dinner last night. She is also trying to be conscious of her guests' food likes and dislikes, but believes good quality ingredients will perhaps overcome some of those dislikes. Her menu consists of caramelized red onion and goat's cheese tarlet as the starter, sunny monkfish as the main course, and Bailey's brulée for dessert. At dinner, Sarah continues her quest of eating the unfamiliar, but has a panic attack when she learns of an ingredient she first thought was a peppercorn. And a surprising person admits to not liking one of the ingredients. And Paul may give Kate higher marks if they continue the party in her bedroom based on what he found in her closet. But Yvonne does some destruction before the end of the evening is out.
Thu, Jan 21, 2010
Paul Davies is the host for the evening. His guests are all looking forward to the evening if only to see what kind of party the biggest personality of the group will put on. His number one priority is to make a Sarah friendly meal, she being by far the pickiest eater. But Paul will not have that chance as an ill Sarah will forgo this party, much to her dismay, and will send as her proxy her husband Ian Rothwell, who in turn will bring food home to Sarah. The two will score Paul jointly. The question becomes will Mark flirt with Ian as well. Paul's menu consists of risotto with black pudding and scallops as a starter, beef Wellington as the main course, and bread & butter pudding for dessert. The addition of Ian instead of Sarah changes the entire tone of the evening, especially for Paul, who has flirted the most with Sarah up to this point. Ian's presence may have thrown Paul for a loop as he seems distracted in the kitchen, but he may recover enough by the time the food makes it to the dining room. But by the end of the evening, all hope that Sarah will be well enough to host her party, and that her return will also bring the return of the positive group dynamic.
Fri, Feb 5, 2010
Steve Roberts is the last of this fivesome to host. Steve inadvertently may have shot himself in the foot with his behavior at last night's meal, which was off-putting to those that will score his efforts for tonight. His menu consists of seafood money bags as a starter, mini boeufs en croute with rumbledethumps as the main course, and Eton yogurt mess for dessert. In addition to the straight on charge against him, Steve is also asked by Leilani, much as she asked Ed earlier in the week, to don a pair of found clothing, with Steve's being slightly more risqué. Steve will soon find out if his food and hosting is enough to overcome the animosity as he announces the winner of the £1,000.
Mon, Feb 8, 2010
The five contestants from South Yorkshire for this week are: salesman Mark Hannigan, who will say controversial things just to get a rise out of people; electrical manager Gary Holden, a connoisseur of fine dining; purchasing manager Kerry Lloyd, a self-confessed chatterbox; Toni Morgan, a motorcycle enthusiast who doesn't like boring people; and fitness instructor Alison Murrie, who at age forty-nine believes she will always be sixteen at heart. Alison Murrie is the first to host the dinner party. Her menu consists of chicken liver stuffed beef tomatoes as the starter, chicken parcels in Parma ham as the main course, and strawberry & honey cheesecake and chocolate orange chiffon dream for dessert. Beyond the food, Alison is hoping her bubbly personality and a party game she has planned - the latter which is to break the ice among these five strangers - will win her some points. And Toni beats Mark to the punch with a controversial dinner topic, in which she compares some food served to something unusual she has in her freezer.
Tue, Feb 9, 2010
The five contestants assess their chances of winning based on meeting the other four and experiencing the first party hosted by Alison, with most believing they can beat her. Toni Morgan (II)' is second on the list to host the dinner party. Her menu consists of frozen raspberry daiquiris as a welcome drink, mushroom & walnut soup or chilled melon soup as the starter, Beaujolais drunken lamb shanks as the main course, and elderflower & raspberry jelly for dessert. Toni risks having never tried to make many of the items on her menu, and isn't fearful as she admits none of the recipes are difficult... if she actually pre-read the recipes. Despite Toni's unconventional appearance, her guests are shocked about the décor of her house, and most have a new opinion about their hostess. Half way through the meal, one of the diners has to make a quick exit. Unfortunately that person is Toni - off to the emergency ward to deal with a wound - who leaves her guests to fend for themselves. Will her absence affect her scores in any way?
Wed, Feb 10, 2010
Beyond hoping and trusting that Toni's finger is all right, the guests from last night are talking more about the fact that Gary seemed to relish taking over the dinner party in Toni's absence and was probably saddened by not having more to do. Mark Hannigan is third on the list to host the dinner party. His menu consists of chicken liver pâté as the starter, chicken with red onion & chorizo as the main course, and Baileys cheesecake for dessert. Mark's game plan is to make the meal preparation as easy as possible (with the exception of never having made pâté of any sort before) so that he can spend the evening with his guests. He also makes the announcement of a celebrity surprise guest, who most believe will be a football player based on his obsession with the game. But the surprise is tripled with two more celebrities added to the list. And Toni makes an early departure for the second night in a row due to a slower than wanted recovery. But at the end of the evening, will Mark's game plan, which included a few shortcuts, derail him?
Thu, Feb 11, 2010
Gary Holden is the host for the evening. As Kerry mentions, Gary may have set himself up for a fall as the person who has been the most critical of the week. His menu consists of French onion soup as a starter, fillet steak Rossini on a pâté stuffed mushroom as the main course, and poached pears for dessert. Gary decides on a slightly different tact for the welcome than all the others have done before him. He also wants to show up the other dinners by making things from scratch that others have bought store-made, although Gary does have his line of what he considers cheating and not cheating (of course, his method being the non-cheating way whereas others may disagree).
Fri, Feb 12, 2010
Kerry Lloyd is the last of this fivesome to host. Her menu consists of Yorkshire rarebit as a starter, beef in beer as the main course, and toffee apple crumble for dessert. Kerry decides to make things from scratch that she would usually purchase pre-made if only to avoid Gary's criticisms, although she will only go so far to please "Mr. Picky" as she has rechristened him. But will her hard work prove to be more effective than store bought food? She will soon find out if her extra measures were enough to please Gary and the rest of her guests as she announces the winner of the £1,000.