A FUNDRAISER that saw homes across Huddersfield staging dinner parties is back by popular demand.

Ovens and hobs were working overtime when Come Dine With Me fever gripped the town in April.

Just like the programme keen cooks invited dinner guests to sample their mouthwatering three-course meals.

The event was a massive hit, raising thousands of pounds for the West Yorkshire Forget Me Not Trust.

And its organiser is hoping for an even bigger success when it is staged again on Saturday, October 30.

Dawn Marron, a fundraiser for the charity, said: “We did one in April and it was a massive success. We had over 100 people eating at homes across Huddersfield.

“Everybody’s been saying to us that we must do it again so it really is back by popular demand.

“It’s a great, really fun evening out and hopefully something we will do every year as it has the potential to become a real money-spinner for the Trust.”

Dawn, from Marsden, came up with the unusual idea because she felt it would be a fun and easy way of supporting the charity.

She said: “I think a lot of people like me feel they want to do something for charity but not a bungee jump or marathon run.

“I enjoy cooking at home and I think that at the moment more people are choosing to stay in and socialise.

“So I thought a dinner party would be a good idea and it’s something that really took off!”

Dawn took her inspiration for the event from the popular TV series, which sees amateur chefs competing against each other and their dinner guests rating their performances.

For the charity event hosts and hostesses signing up are asked to invite up to eight guests (more if they wish) to their home and cook a three-course meal that can be anything from traditional to more contemporary cuisine.

Guests then pay what they feel the meal is worth – up to £25 – and the host who raises the most money wins a slap-up meal for 10.

Dawn, who staged a dinner party at her home for the last event, said: “Unlike the programme there’s no judging or going around the house searching through people’s knicker drawers!

“It’s just a really fun way to spend a Saturday night, to enjoy good food and meet new friends.

“The last event was great. People went to a lot of effort and there were some quite creative dishes.

“They can make whatever they want – my meal was sushi, followed by fillet of beef and sticky toffee pudding.

“And with the event this time being so close to Halloween we’re hoping for some really inventive themes.”

Participants can also hold other activities on the night, such as a raffle, to add to their fundraising total.

The event is being supported by Bolster Moor Farm butchers, who are offering a 20% discount for people buying meat from them for the evening.

People who don’t want to cook but are keen to attend a dinner party can also sign up to be matched to an event at another person’s house.

For an application form or more information email Dawn at dawnmarron@talktalk.net or call the Trust on 01484 487570.