MasterChef now comes in many guises: the professionals, the home cooks, the celebrities... I'll watch 'em all.

Well, nearly all. I draw the line at the junior version of the BBC 1 cookery competition– I don't want to view children cooking better than me.

So it was with great excitement I headed to Sudbury House Hotel on the outskirts of Faringdon where Nick Bennett, one of last year's professionals finalists (in what seemed like a particularly strong field), was presenting a TV Tasting Menu.

The lovely evening started well with the sun shining for champagne and canapes on the patio of the hotel's recently landscaped garden, before we moved in to the elegant Restaurant 56 (the hotel is located at 56 London Street) for five courses based on dishes cooked by Nick on the show.

There were eight of us dining, so we sat together. Our fellow diners were all enthusiastic foodies and made for good company; one couple was celebrating a birthday, another a retirement and the third were paying a return visit as they enjoyed the food so much.

And we all loved what we were served on the night.

There was duck with plums, squash and pickled St George mushrooms (final 12 invention test); mackerel served two ways with a crisp deep fried oyster, cucumber and radish (finals starter); fillet of pork with pine nut polenta, garlic scrapes (the flower bud of the plant) and sherry sauce (signature dish round one); nougat parfait with honeycomb, raspberries and honey jelly (semi-finals) and a reinvented strawberry and elderflower cheesecake (showstopper).

They were, as expected, all superb: beautiful to look at with delicious flavours and interesting textures.

What made the evening extra special was Nick appearing between courses to talk not just about the food but also to answer questions about MasterChef and give us cookery tips.

He introduced us to his head chef Michelin-starred Andrew Scott (Nick is sous chef) and they told us about the demonstrations and food fairs they attend.

The pair clearly have a great rapport but not to be outdone in the television stakes, Andrew is taking part in this year's Great British Menu competition which began on BBC Two this week, representing the Central region.

So we could be having a Great British MasterChef Menu soon!

See sudburyhouse.co.uk for details of the hotel, events, offers, Restaurant 56 and the Magnolia Brasserie

STAY IN STYLE

The hotel has recently unveiled its smart new Suite 57.

The luxurious set of rooms – lounge, bedroom and a bathroom which will have you wanting to go home and remodel your own immediately – have been beautifully designed by former design student staff member Melissa Hartell.

The hotel has 50 bedrooms and on Thursdays those who book a table for two in Restaurant 56 and dine from the Prime Tasting Menu (£65 each for eight courses) can stay in a four star room for £35 per person, including a full English breakfast.