Care home cooks hope to bring some spice into the kitchen after an “incredibly inspiring” lesson from a celebrity chef.

On Monday (June 27) Ermina Avdagic, Tracy Samuels and Alicia Oates from Honey Lane, I Sewardstone Close and Ashbrook Court care homes in Waltham Abbey met Ainsley Harriott in London.

The Ready Steady Cook star demonstrated some of his recipes and shared tips with the cooks after launching his Food Challenge, aimed at inspiring new and exciting care home food.

Mr Harriott said: “I am passionate about good food and exciting people to create wonderful meals and dishes no matter where they eat.

“It’s great to see these three care homes investing in this competition and I know that all three chefs will embrace the challenge ahead and produce a fabulous new menu idea for the residents.”

The chefs will present their new dishes at events in each of the homes in early October.

Ms Avdagic said: “This was such an exciting opportunity and Ainsley has been incredibly inspiring today.

“Learning from him has given me many ideas to take back to Honey Lane and develop into our winning idea.”

If their menu is shortlisted, Mr Harriott will visit on October 20 to give them their prizes.

Ms Oates said: “It was a really valuable experience.

“I am determined to get my home, Ashbrook Court, onto the shortlist.”

Ms Samuels added: “Ainsley’s three Cup Chicken dish is something I am certain to cook for our residents and his Caribbean bouillabaisse was a real treat.

“We really hope to be shortlisted so we can welcome Ainsley to 1 Sewardstone Close in October.”