Worst trait: I take over the party, will probably want seconds and I will judge your home and redecorate it in my head.

Best trait: I’ll eat everything you put in front of me.

Cooking style: Avant-garde, experimental and perfectionistic. It’s sometimes pretentious, but always delicious. My natural obsession with cleanliness and order sometimes make for interesting preparation.

Likes: Most people… provided I can make them laugh and they aren’t funnier than me.

Hates: Peas (it’s a texture thing) and obnoxious people.

Signature dish: I make a mean vegetarian lasagne and a good Thai chicken and vegetable curry.

Greatest culinary success: I cooked a three-course meal for a dinner party of six. It consisted of a smoked salmon salad starter, roast lamb with seven vegetables for main and miniature baked blueberry Alaska (in my gorgeous new stripy ramekins) for dessert. Very successful!

Worst CDWM nightmare: Someone going home without their sides aching from laughter, having something spilled on my cream sofa or people not enthusing about how fantastic I am to all their friends afterwards.

Perfect dinner party entertainment: I’m a huge board game fan, and that’s usually the direction my dinner parties take. Nintendo Wii and karaoke are always a laugh too.

The special thing about my dinner parties is: My sense of humour and my gorgeous home.

Other interests: Besides being the centre of attention and making people laugh, I’m passionate (read obsessed) about my home, its décor and it being completely tidy and in order all the time.

Worst trait: I can be very critical about hosts.

Best trait: I’m naturally a good entertainer and host.

Cooking style: Eclectic – I steal a bit of everything and adapt it to my own style.

Likes: Confident, neat and arty people.

Hates: Beef, pork, raisins and unmelted butter or margarine. People that are controlling, stubborn, orthodox or judgemental.

Signature dish: My mushroom stuffed dumplings.

Greatest culinary success: A three-course seafood dinner – everything had to be cooked perfectly.

Worst CDWM nightmare: Guests that just sit there uninterested.

Perfect dinner party entertainment: A belly dancer or Indian classical dancer, depending on the theme of the evening.

The special thing about my dinner parties is: My attention to personalised details that captivate the memory.

Other interests: Travel, art and interior design.

Worst trait: I am extremely fussy, and hate dirty and untidy spaces. If there is a strand of hair in a massive pot of food, you can be guaranteed that I will find it!

Best trait: I can diffuse difficult situations easily.

Cooking style: I like cooking homely favourites (Indian dishes) with various whole and ground spices and fresh herbs. I have taught many people the basics and my recipes circulate weekly.

Likes: Changing lives… and I get to do that in my chosen career.

Hates: Calamari, oysters, truffles and squid ink. Disrespectful, self-righteous and show-off types really get me going… If you have nothing valuable to add to a conversation, sit down and shut up!

Signature dish: Sweet and spicy prawns, savoury sautéed rice and spicy tomato and coriander reduction.

Greatest culinary success: A three-course dinner of grilled black mushrooms with garlic, rosemary and feta on a base of bruschetta and rocket for starters, Greek rack of lamb with a lemon and rosemary reduction on a bed of mashed potatoes for main and homemade milk tartlets for dessert.

Worst CDWM nightmare: Hair in my food!

Perfect dinner party entertainment: Depends on the theme and the guest list. Perhaps a belly dancer, pole dancer, magician, DJ… the list goes on.

The special thing about my dinner parties is: My progressive style of dining… starters and drinks in the foyer, main course in dining area. And let’s not forget ME – that is sure to make it different from any other!

Other interests: My family is extremely important. I also value my friends and my job.

Worst trait: I get loud and tell rude jokes when I drink too much.

Best trait: I am very sociable.

Cooking style: Passionate. I like to plan what I am making and take time making the meal… and I have a heart attack if anything goes wrong!

Likes: I like most people… I work in sales, so I meet all sorts and get on well with everyone.

Hates: Liver, kidneys, tongue, offal and arrogant people.

Signature dish: My fillet steak with mushroom sauce.

Greatest culinary success: Beef Wellington. I watched an episode of Come Dine With Me where a contestant made individual ones. So I did the same, and they are great!

Worst CDWM nightmare: The food flops!

Perfect dinner party entertainment: Dancing.

The special thing about my dinner parties is: Me, the host.

Other interests: Book club.