[GALLERY + VIDEOS]: Come dine with Chris
Chris Nothnagel from Mulbarton was a recent contestant on the TV show Come Dine with Me
Chris Nothnagel from Mulbarton was a recent contestant on the TV show Come Dine with Me. Chris has his own takeaway business, Food Zone, in Steeledale, and also provides protective clothing to the construction and food industry.
He is married to Michelle and they have two daughters, Lizanne (19) and Britney (11).
Chris said it was a fantastic experience all round and conceded, “Even though I didn’t win, I came third, which was really exciting and a chance of a lifetime.”
When Come Dine with Me was calling for entrants, Chris first had to apply by sending a short video of his dining area and kitchen, as well as two menus. From there he had three telephonic interviews. Then he had a live interview at his home.
“After making it through, you already feel like a winner. To get this far, you have to be ahead of many other hopeful contestants,” Chris said.
Chris and his three counterparts each hosted a dinner at their homes, making a starter, main meal and a dessert, for which they received a budget. They could each choose a theme for the evening, as well as the dress code, décor and entertainment if they wished, but Chris decided his guests could come in smart-casual dress and relax.
“I obviously made an effort with the décor. I had personalised place mats made and served some welcoming drinks. For entertainment, my daughter Britney, who goes to a dancing school, prepared a dance for us.”
Chris decided on garlic butter prawns with home-made bread as his starter. He then went on to serve a chicken curry with rice and a freshly prepared green salad and ended the dinner with granadilla cheesecake.
“I have to admit the chicken curry was a disaster,” laughed Chris.
Throughout the filming process, which believe me is quite hectic, no brand labels can be aired on TV. Each contestant was interviewed at various stages and asked for his or her comments on the meal served, the presentation, the décor and absolutely everything else for the evening.
“I think our group was very strong and strategic. I like to think I played the game fairly, and I think it would have been better if we only had to give our final scores after all four of us had hosted our dinners. As it was, we scored after each contestant had hosted his or her dinner,” added Chris.
WATCH:
What was his favourite meal throughout his team’s evenings?
“The oxtail served by Karen on the last night was absolutely delicious.”
Chris was also asked what advice he’d give to future Come Dine with Me contestants.
“Be patient, don’t stress. The cameras will be on you the whole time while you are cooking, so just cook away like you would on any other day!”
After the interview with Chris, I was so enthralled by what he said that I quite fancy entering the show myself!
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