A MATCH-making chef will be cooking up a stir at lonely hearts nights in the hope of spicing up her pupils' love lives.

For starters, Jennifer Aston Mills' singles nights will begin with a cookery demonstration before she turns up the heat with a tasty slap-up meal.

She knows the way to a man's heart is through his stomach and is banking on her men-on-the-menu idea proving a real recipe for success.

Starting in the New Year, the professional cook will rustle up a sizzling three-course feast in her Shrubbery Avenue kitchen for 20 dishy singles.

"It'll be like a social evening, an informal way of meeting members of the opposite sex, in a relaxed atmosphere," she said.

"There are so many single people out there and such a lot of interest in food that I'm sure it will be a success.

"Foodies tend to be friendly people who like to enjoy themselves."

Ms Aston Mills is catering manager for the National Trust at Hanbury Hall, near Droitwich, and runs her own weddings and functions catering business.

She specialises in Italian cookery, having taught at the Cordon Bleu school in Florence, run cookery courses in southern Italy for the past 13 years and taught extensively in the US.

"I've worked with a lot of top chefs and brought back lots of recipes. It's lovely to pass your knowledge on and make it fun," said Ms Aston Mills.

"I'm used to putting people at their ease, so that they feel at home as soon as they come through the door."

The saucy chef is also planning gourmet trips to France and singles outings to the restaurants of famous chefs such as Gary Rhodes in Pimlico, Jamie Oliver in Knightsbridge and Gordon Ramsey at Claridges.

For more information, call 07966 543096.