A Walthamstow resident is set to showcase her culinary skills in a home cooking television contest.

Elisabetta Iudica, who has lived in Walthamstow for over 31 years, works as a receptionist at the Royal Free hospital in Hampstead.

In her spare time, she is a passionate cook and artist – having previously run an Italian delicatessen on Hoe Street.

Elisabetta, 52, is one of ten contestants on BBC One’s new series of Best Home Cook – starting tonight (January 2) at 8pm.

Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, ten of the UK’s best home cooks will battle to impress judges Mary Berry, Chris Bavin and Angela Hartnett.

Elisabetta was born and raised in Milan and describes herself as a “very proud Italian cook”.

She said: “I feel very fortunate and proud to have been chosen out of thousands of people applying nationwide and to be appreciated for my humble home cooking which is my passion, amongst some very talented cooks.”

She grew up watching her mother cook everything from scratch and says her favourite meal to prepare is Stracotto – brisket of beef slow braised in red wine for three to four hours, accompanied with polenta – a speciality from northern Italy,

She added: “I practised for the show by cooking for some of my closest friends and my family, who have been my biggest supporters from the start and encouraged me to apply.”

Italian ingredients and cooking will always be her passion, but she is also influenced by the flavours she’s been introduced to in the culturally diverse Walthamstow.

Elisabetta, who also runs a Facebook group called Waltham Forest Food & Drink Society with over 5,000 members, has organised a viewing party for the third episode on the January 16 at The Collab in Hoe Street from 7pm.