Worst trait: I can be a tad overbearing if I get bored and have too much wine!

Best trait: I’m appreciative and will flatter… if all is going well.

Cooking style: Traditional but adventurous. I’m always ready to explore new cuisines.

Likes: Expounding about life, love and everything else in between, over a good bottle of wine (or two) or a generous G&T!

Hates: Not too keen on tripe or brussel sprouts. Don’t like opinionated male chauvinists, negative folk, messy eaters or ill mannered, boorish types.

Signature dish: My grandmother’s stuffed roast chicken with all the trimmings, including gravy made from scratch.

Greatest culinary success: Cooking a four-course Malaysian meal for 25 guests in honour of the Malaysian F1. I helped cook the meal of the host country for each F1 event, and it was quite a challenge!

Worst CDWM nightmare: Boring dinner companions that harp on about sex, religion or politics. And if my soufflé doesn’t rise, I would definitely consider that a nightmare!

Perfect dinner party entertainment: I’m the entertainment.

The special thing about my dinner parties is: Relaxed ambiance and good conversation.

Other interests: Motorcycling out in the open country with friends, sailing, my man, my cats (Coco and Balloo), my dogs, making and drinking good wine, growing and harvesting my own herbs, fruit and veggies and watching my garden burst into full summer bloom.

Worst trait: I tend to talk and laugh rather loudly if I’m enjoying the evening.

Best trait: I am very easy to please…. as long as the food and wine taste great.

Cooking style: I have cooked under the guidance of some of the UK’s finest chefs, as my adopted family is in the hospitality industry in the UK, and I have an amateur cookery show on youtube, to help my student friends cook better without spending too much money. My palate is classical, but I eat widely and try to cook many different styles.

Likes: Meeting new people, although I will confess to being utterly useless at remembering names.

Hates: Tofu and halloumi cheese – tasteless nonsense. And I’m not keen on people who have bad table manners or refuse to try new foods… it upsets me very much, and I tend to give them ‘the look’.

Signature dish: I have been known to make a very good beef wellington.

Greatest culinary success: I’ve established an annual dinner party with my university friends, and last year I prepared a six-course gourmet dinner. It was great fun and lasted until 4am. It ending up with one of my guests chasing another with a poached pear… colourful stuff indeed!

Worst CDWM nightmare: I find it odd when people kiss strangers upon first meeting (as they often do on the UK show). A simple handshake is quite enough, thank you very much!

Perfect dinner party entertainment: I don’t believe in bringing ‘entertainment’ in… I usually treat guests to an aria or two myself.

The special thing about my dinner parties is: I know what makes a good party and I like to think people always remember it, long into their years.

Other interests: I am passionate about classical music and enjoy singing opera, especially to friends at dinner parties when I’m in a good mood.

Worst trait: For some reason I always spill food and drink, whether it be on the table or on my clothes.

Best trait: My good manners.

Cooking style: Experimental. I like to create new tastes and flavours… but I have put my flatmates through some hellish meals!

Likes: Learning from others. I have met some great characters that have travelled abroad and have fantastic stories to tell.

Hates: Greek food and hot foods… I try to eat Indian but sometimes it’s just too hot and I end up crying! I dislike people that are snobbish, arrogant or like to show-off about how much money they have.

Signature dish: Boerewors cannelloni.

Greatest culinary success: Cooking a dish of lamb roast with roasted vegetables, pickled red onions, potato and onions baked with lemon juice and melted feta cheese on artichokes.

Worst CDWM nightmare: Lack of chemistry between the group… or people arguing or complaining.

Perfect dinner party entertainment: Well, I like to dress-up in costumes around silly themes…

The special thing about my dinner parties is: My food.

Other interests: Aside from film, I love sport. I also have an interest in travel but have limited experience.

Worst trait: I’m willing to try new foods, but I won’t force down what I know I don’t like. Sorry!

Best trait: I am communicative and eager to enjoy the whole experience.

Cooking style: Comfort food (Afrikaanse Boerekos) served with flair… it’s all in the presentation. People always rave about my food, and I’m fast!

Likes: Seeing people having fun and enjoying themselves in my home.

Hates: Avocado, tinned asparagus, oysters, liver and tripe… ewww! And I find negative types of people draining and hard work.

Signature dish: Gosh! My lamb… roly poly… bobotie… I don’t know?

Greatest culinary success: Xmas eve dinner for 14 guests. I cooked apricot-glazed turkey and ham, served with crispy parmesan potatoes, stir-fried snow peas and mushrooms, broccoli and cauliflower with marmalade glaze. And tropical trifle goblets for dessert.

Worst CDWM nightmare: Electricity failure, uncooked food and guests with no spark at all (excuse the pun).

Perfect dinner party entertainment: A brilliant cocktail waiter and maybe a jazz musician.

The special thing about my dinner parties is: I can cook… and I have a magnificent view of Cape Town, the stadium and the waterfront.

Other interests: I find travel, people and other cultures fascinating.