MORE than 150 people attended two cookery demonstrations by celebrity chef Brian Turner in the Beaufort Hotel, Chepstow, last week.

The charismatic cook, a regular on hit tv programme Ready Steady Cook entertained his audience with his charm and wit, while giving some handy tips for the kitchen.

The day was organised by owner of cook shop Tin Pan Alley, Jenny Gough. She described the events as "wonderful".

The morning's session entitled 'Christmas is nearly upon us' gave tips on what to do with the left-overs from the Christmas Day dinner.

And several members of the audience were busily taking notes. The meals were designed to be relatively easy, needing little preparation before putting it in the oven. Although he did also introduce a luxurious fish dish.

During the evening's demonstration Mr Turner provided samples of recipes illustrated in his new cook book 'Favourite British Recipes'.

Mr Turner says it was after his mum passed away last year that he decided to write a book of recipes his mother and late grandmother loved to cook.

He says: "When mum passed away I knew of recipes she wouldn't want to disappear and they don't teach in schools any more; so I decided to put them all in a book."

Commenting on his day of cookery demonstrations, Mr turner said: "The morning session went really well, but the evening was even better. people were very talkative and there was a lot of interactive play."

"If they ask me to come back I would be more than happy to come back," he added.

For more information on Brian Turner's recipes and details of his forthcoming events go to www.brianturneronline.co.uk