A Norwich cook's culinary talent has led to her being picked to take part in the ITV show Britain's Best Dish.

The ITV series sees cooks battle it out in the kitchen for the chance to have their dish on the menu at London's Savoy Hotel.

Julie Philpot, 50, of The Moorings, off Oak Street, has reached the eastern region heats of the show with her whisked sponge cake called blueberry burst gateaux, and TV viewers will be able to watch Mrs Philpot on Britain's Best Dish later this month.

Mrs Philpot said: 'I felt a mixture of excitement and absolute fright when I found out I had been selected.

'When you apply for these things you do not really think that far ahead, and then suddenly you realise you are going to be cooking in the studio and be judged.'

She said filming of the eastern region heats took place in March and was a nerve-wracking experience.

'You have the pressure of being in a totally different environment, using different equipment from what you are used to at home, and knowing that the judges are watching your every move,' said Mrs Philpot, who works part-time for social services and runs her own cookery teaching business, Plan to Cook.

Mrs Philpot, who has three children, said she chose to enter the blueberry burst gateaux because she felt it was 'different enough to possibly get selected'.

She said: 'It is a recipe I first picked up in a magazine. I saw the whisked sponge with the yoghurt and I thought it looked quite interesting.

'Over the years I have adapted it. I've added an alcoholic blueberry jelly, and to the yoghurt I have added some lemon zest and maple syrup.'

Viewers will have to watch the series to see how far Mrs Philpot goes in the competition.

Throughout the competition the competitors will face a series of cooking challenges whiles the show's three judges decide whose dishes are good enough to stay in the contest.

Mrs Philpot has had a great interest in cooking since childhood, and she started her part-time business Plan to Cook last May. The courses she teaches from her home include vegetarian cooking, Indian cooking, cupcakes, and catering for dinner parties.

Mrs Philpot will be on Britain's Best Dish on ITV1 on Tuesday, April 26.

For more information on Plan to Cook visit www.plantocook.co.uk

Do you know somebody who is going to be on TV? Call Evening News reporter Emma Knights on 01603 772428 or email emma.knights@archant.co.uk