Masterchef’s John Torode paid a surprise visit to a County Durham community centre where he managed to pick up a few culinary tips.

The celebrity chef called into the Come Eat Together Project in Stanley to see how elderly residents were coming together to enjoy good food and good company.

The aim of the scheme is to improve older people’s diets, prevent malnutrition and get them cooking with fresh, healthy ingredients.

The television chef was introduced to 76-year-old Enid Dent who was cooking up mince and dumplings ready to serve to the 18 members of the project.

Impressed by what he saw, John said: “This is fantastic, what these people are doing is coming together and enjoying healthy food.

“This is teaching older people to be self sufficient in an environment that shows being sociable goes hand in hand with good food.”

The scheme is run by Age UK County Durham and is appealing for votes in a bid to win £2,000 of Lottery funding.

John joined Enid in the kitchen before enjoying a hearty plate of mince and dumplings with other regulars from the group.

Enid, who chased John out of the kitchen before he “ruined her dumplings”, believes the scheme is vital in helping older residents from the Stanley community.

She said: “This brings people who are socially isolated out of their homes and introduces them to new friends.”

Enid, a widow, from Stanley, said cooking for the group had been a lifeline to her and given her a focus.

She added: “I’m not a professional cook and I live alone. Doing this gives me a real purpose.

“There are so many people whose families leave home and their husband or wife passes away, and suddenly they are all alone.

“Groups like this are so important for bringing people together.”

So what did Enid think of having an internationally renowned chef in her kitchen?“Well, that was the icing on the cake,” she said. “He said he couldn’t wait to taste my dumplings.”

Group member Margaret Stothard wasn’t so convinced by the celebrity visitor.

The 62-year-old, from Stanley has been a regular since the club started, said: “I knew his face but I couldn’t have told you his name.”

Harriet Gibbon, chief executive of Age UK County Durham, said the club was vital in bringing in older people who often find it hard to admit they are sometimes lonely.

She said: “Our lunch clubs and dining circles are tremendous social occasions and are an extremely important part of people’s lives. Many older people are lonely but they put on a brave face.”