Ever since being turned down to appear on the popular C4 show Come Dine With Me I have been smarting, I can barely watch the programme anymore. After what I thought was a great interview it seems there are other would-be TV cooks and guests in Brighton far wittier and exciting than me. I was crushed. So to find out that as part of the Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival there would be an Open Dining event was fantastic news. So this Friday night Husband and I found ourselves walking to someone’s house we had never met before in order to sample their cooking.

Open Dining (rather like the TV Show) involves a host inviting a number of guests to their home to cook for them and hold a dinner party. These hosts are not professional chefs, just people who enjoy cooking. Diners get a choice of menu and decide what they want to eat but have no idea to who’s house they are going to, or who else will be there.

The evening started with mounting trepidation and Husband and I chattered away nervously on our way to the recently released address. But why should we be so worried? We are personable people, I like to think we have a lot to recommend ourselves with, and I can talk for England if I want to. But our nerves only got worse as we got closer to the front door! What and Who would we find? Our host opened the door and we were immediately at our ease, she looked normal, she seemed normal, she wasn’t holding an axe.

We were quickly introduced to her partner and our other two dining guests, who also had only just arrived at the anonymous address. Everyone was clutching a glass of pink fizz and the air was full of good cooking smells, so far so good. Initial conversation was peppered with comments about the weirdness of the situation and comparisons to the TV show (all of whom had also applied to go on – I was not alone in my rejection!) We got to have a snoop around our hosts home and for someone who loves looking in other peoples windows (pull your blinds down if you’re offended by this) it was great to get the go ahead to do so. After taking note of some lovely lighting effects in the gorgeous flat we took our seats and so the purpose of the evening really began. Bring on the food…

I think it was at this point I could feel the hosts’ nervousness for the first time. It was clear that she loved cooking and was keen for us to enjoy the meal, but she held it together better than I would have done and plates weren’t dropped and courses came out quickly. As we relaxed into the eating the alcohol and conversation flowed. Despite never having met before the six of us didn’t stop talking all evening and the air was full of bonhomie, it was clear we all wanted to make this work and give good accounts of ourselves. I was happy to find that there were plenty of interests in common that stretched further than a reality TV show. I also realised that a lot of my friends have very similar jobs and so it was refreshing to talk to new people and learn about their lives and careers and projects.

Now I am going to have to admit that its about now the memories become a little fuzzy and judging by the size of my hangover the next day I know why. But I do remember having a good laugh, enjoying a home cooked meal and being very happy to talk to some new personalities that had I just passed in the street I would have never had the opportunity to do so. We often socialise in such small circles and rarely get the chance to make brand new acquaintances, so I genuinely hope we all stay in touch.

I think the Open Dining events are now drawing to a close but its something I would definitely recommend doing if you get the chance, it takes some guts but its worthwhile. In fact I think the whole Food Festival is nearly over, and I for one will be rather relieved because there have been so many events and fairs that it was getting to the point where I couldn’t open my front door without eating a Sussex Pig roll or buying a jar of chutney!

With thanks to Lucy, Chris, Patrick, Liam and Husband. Yum Yum and Cheers!