A BUSINESSWOMAN swapped her office for the kitchen as she whipped up a three-course culinary treat for fellow contestants on hit TV show Come Dine With Me.

Tracy Jones, who runs Southend-based publicity company Brera PR, treated three other contestants on the Channel 4 show to a feast of traditional British flavours in the hope of scooping the £1,000 prize.

She even roped in local band the Jones to perform three acoustic songs in her back garden in an attempt to win the competition.

Tracy also made sure each of the other contestants, all from around Southend, were taken care of on their way home by giving them a party bag filled with headache tablets, water and aromatherapy spray to ward off any nasty hangovers.

Tracey, 38, of Park Street, Westcliff, said: “It was really good fun and it definitely brings out your competitive side. However the days were so long with the film crew and at times it was really frustrating because it took over your whole life.

“I received an e-mail about a television company looking for people in Southend to take part in the show and I thought it was something I would enjoy doing so I decided to take part.We had such a laugh. There were some good characters in the group. We spent so much time together during the week of filming and two weeks later we meet up at Sands in Leigh.”

Tracy hosted her taste of Britain on Wednesday after Louise, a charity worker from Southchurch hosted a musicals themed evening on Tuesday. Retired banker Rob devised a high-class menu for Thursday’s dinner party and the week was finished off by estate agent Zac, who provided a cocktail barman to serve drinks.

Tracy added: “There was some friction during the week, but we all got on so well and had such a laugh.

“I think it will be weird to see it on television on Friday at 8pm, but it was a really enjoyable experience.”

The Echo was also involved in the programme as Tracy staged a mock press call to show what her job as a PR consultant entailed. The Echo’s Tom King and Louise Mackenzie went along to the event and were filmed being given a tour of the Sea Life Adventure Adventure.