Bromsgrove pair on Come Dine With Me

Buy photos » Jules Evans has been one of the contestants on Come Dine With Me this week. s

VIEWERS of Come Dine With Me may have seen some familiar faces cooking up a storm this week on the hit Channel 4 TV show.

The programme, which challenges competitors to each host an evening at their homes with food and entertainment, had been filmed in Bromsgrove and Redditch.

Among the contestants were former South Bromsgrove High School student Gemma Willock-Pickering and Jules Evans, who has organised Bromsgrove Carnival for years, is a Lickey Hills path warden, trains guide dogs, is a Morris dancer and an active member of Redditch and Bromsgrove CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale).

It all started when Jules' friend received a Come Dine With Me application form and told her she would be better suited to the show than her.

Jules said: "I never thought I would be chosen as I didn't take the application seriously, but I do love the show and just thought 'why not'.

"They cut out lots of really funny stuff which is a shame as we all got on really well.

"Filming starts at 5pm every day an ends at 2am so they have to leave lots out," she said.

She had her chance to entertain guests on Wednesday night (November 21), when she served up parsnip and apple soup with beer bread and mead for the starter, Olde English stew for the main course and Eton mess for the dessert, using her home-made meringues and home-grown strawberries from her allotment.

Medieval re-enactor Jules also put straw on the floor, as would have happened in years gone by, and had a medieval sword-fight as part of the entertainment, which seemed to go down well with the other four contestants.

But, despite that, she finished with 22 points, seven short of Gemma who was leading with 29 when The Standard went to press yesterday (Thursday).

"I had a brilliant week and made some great new friends.

"I would definitely recommend the experience to everyone," added Jules.

The broadcasts began on Monday (November 19) and run until tomorrow evening (Friday), when the winner, who scoops the £1,000 prize money, will be revealed.

The previous editions of this week's show are available on 4OD (On Demand) at: www.channel4.com/4od or on TV catch-up services.

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