Wednesday, August 18th 1998, a day when little chuckles could be heard throughout certain parts of the UK. The reason being that Dervla, a self-confessed microwave cook, was about to show off her 'culinary skills' (hee hee!) on Celebrity Ready Steady Cook.

The object of the exercise is that two professional chefs take on the challenge to create masterpieces from the ingredients that two complete duffers (in this case, Dervla and boxer Barry McGuigan) provide.
Well, to set the scene, Barry chose Irish salmon, potatoes etc. The ever so health conscious Dervla brought . . . chocolate, strawberries, plums (yes, they did comment!) and whiskey!

So, while Barry and Ainsley Harriott wrestled with salmon and potatoes, Dervla's team created Mille Feuille . . . well, she actually took the wrappers from the Chocolate Kisses and cut the plums in half, while her chef for the evening made sugar cages and angel hair.

During the proceedings, Fern Britton, the host, bobbed between the two guests (favouring Barry McGuigan, it has to be said) and had a chat with them. She asked Dervla about Steve, about who does the cooking at home and what her next projects will be. We finally learnt that both Steve and Dervla are both pretty uselss cooks (it does help if you actually take your cooking untensils out of the packing cases first lads!)

Finally, there was a vote and justice was finally done. Dervla (Red Tomatoes) was given a near standing ovation and awarded first prize, £1000 which she donated to charity.

Dervla cooking . . . !