ASPIRING chefs from Huddersfield do battle once more on one of TV’s most popular amateur cooking contests.

Come Dine With Me returns to Huddersfield on Channel Four, on Monday at 5pm.

And hoping to scoop the week’s £1,000 are Virginia Houslin, 49, of Crosland Moor, Iyesha Atkins, 26, of Paddock, Richard Wood, 50, of Flockton, Tommy McDonnell, 56, of Huddersfield town centre, and Kimberley Connor, 25, of Almondbury.

The competition, which next week includes one culinary catastrophe and a minor falling out between two contestants, takes place over five days where contestants take turns to invite strangers over to their homes for a three-course dinner.

The contestants then rate each other out of 10 with the highest scorer at the end of the week winning the cash prize.

The Huddersfield contest begins with home carer Virginia, who prepares a Caribbean menu with salt fish, lamb casserole and coconut rum cake.

On day two, business development manager Iyesha makes courgette and parmesan soup, a lamb main and a white chocolate panna cotta.

Professional singer Richard follows on day three with asparagus spears, steaks and ‘furious mousse’ for dessert.

Club manager Tommy cooks on day four with a Thai salad, beef and ale pie and a ‘trio of hearts’ dessert.

On the final day hairdresser Kimberley tries to recreate an American-style dinner with onion rings, an ‘All American Meaty Beast’ and a sundae.

Kim, who owns Studio 18 Hair Salon, Byram Street, said: “It was a bit of everything and an emotional rollercoaster.

“It becomes nerve-racking when it’s your night. It was a bit frightening.

“There are some real characters and most of us have stayed in touch since filming.”

She added: “It was a long week. It is much harder than it looks performing for the camera.

“It was the craziest week of my life.”

Dad-of-one Richard said: “It was the most exhausting, bonkers week I’ve ever experienced.

“The show takes over your whole life. It was great fun, but all-consuming.”

Kitchen designer Neil Hemingway won Come Dine With Me when the show came to Huddersfield in 2009.

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