Mary Berry's Foolproof Dinners | Preview (BBC Two)

he nation’s much-loved cook, Dame Mary Berry, is taking the stress out of dinner by making every meal effortless in this delightful new series, Mary’s Foolproof Dinners, on BBC Two.

Across six sumptuous episodes, produced by Sidney Street, Mary brings a lifetime of culinary knowledge to the table, making dinner a pleasure as she joins a host of famous friends – both old and new – who each face their own challenges with making the main meal of the day. In each of the half hour episodes she shows them how creating dinners can be completely foolproof.

If they want comforting family classics, clever ideas for alfresco dining or something truly celebratory, Mary’s ingenious recipes are guaranteed to succeed every time, giving her guests the confidence to try new dishes at home.

Each episode features a famous face including comedian Alan Carr, who loves classic comfort food but doesn’t know where to start; Strictly Come Dancing and The Traitors presenter and a great friend of Mary’s, Claudia Winkleman, who loves a lazy weekend entertaining with the family.

Wildlife cameraman and photographer Hamza Yassin, a cautious cook who is happier preparing food for animals rather than himself; Dragons’ Den entrepreneur Sara Davies who has just celebrated her 40th birthday and is planning a host of dinner parties to mark the occasion.

Plus Mary’s dear friend, presenter and comedian Sue Perkins, who can be slightly wild in the kitchen; and furniture restorer and star of The Repair Shop, Will Kirk who’s keen to learn some barbeque skills for al fresco dining.

Mary will share mouth-watering recipes, from her own version of a speedy Beef Chow Mein for Alan to an effortless Pastry-free Quick Quiche for Claudia; a foolproof Rhubarb Plate Pie for Sue, crowd-pleasing spicy Sriracha Chicken Wings and Miso Trout for Will; a Rugby Lamb Stew for Hamza and for Sara’s birthday celebrations, a selection of dishes from Mini Lemongrass Crab Cakes to her spectacular Langoustine Paella.

Mary says: “We had so much fun with the series last year, I’m delighted we’re returning with six more fabulous friends to change their thoughts about cooking with new foolproof recipes. Dinner is often the meal where we need most inspiration at the end of a long day or to step out of the same old recipes that we can get stuck in a rut cooking. And what’s more – these really are foolproof – I can’t wait to share them with you.”

Ricky Cooper, BBC Commissioning Editor, says: “We’re delighted that Mary is sharing her incredible foolproof recipes with audiences all over the UK, and in the process helping some of the nation’s biggest names build confidence in the kitchen. Whether you call it dinner, tea or supper, viewers everywhere are in for a real treat.”

Karen Ross, Executive Producer, Sidney Street, says: “This was such a joyful series to make - Dame Mary cooking her heart out with some of our most beloved celebrities who are desperate not to let her down in the kitchen. Entertaining and delicious!”

Mary’s Foolproof Dinners is a 6 x 30’ begins Tuesday 29th October at 7:30pm on BBC Two.