DELICIOUS dishes just like mamma used to make were cooked up at a special Italian themed cookery event organised by two Worcester businesses.

Rabjohns LLP and Smith & Williamson Investment Management invited business partners from across the county to the Elms Hotel in Abberley, to get into the Italian spirit.

Darren Bale, head chef at the Elms, demonstrated his expert skills, preparing a range of mouth-watering Italian recipes, from linguine to risotto, ahead of the England v Italy Six Nations rugby game.

Guests left the event fresh with the knowledge of how to create their own authentic Italian feast at home, to wash down with a chilled chianti or Peroni during the match.

After working up an appetite during the cookery sessions, guests enjoyed pre-dinner drinks and a gourmet buffet. Rabjohns chairman Ian Smith said: "It was a fantastic afternoon."