A Shrewsbury party host will tonight find out whether she has what it takes to impress the Mr Nasty of British food.

Jane Bennett stars in this week’s episode of Michael Winner’s Dining Stars, on ITV, and millions of viewers will see how the demanding critic rates her dinner party skills.

The programme starts with Winner enjoying a sumptuous breakfast at his Kensington home, musing about the pronunciation of Shrewsbury: “I’m going today to Shrewsbury: is it pronounced Shroows-bury or Shreews-bury?”

He visits dinner party host Jane, who hosts gala events each week with her glamorous girlfriends. She says: “Cooking is my life, we do a lot of entertaining here, it can be three times a week.”

Jane’s friends tell the programme-makers that her host’s attention to detail is second to none, and that going to eat at her home is like going to a five-star restaurant.

However, Jane admits to being wary of her caustic guest: “The thought of having Michael Winner to dinner, I run through absolute terror. It’s a huge roller coaster of emotions.”

Jane runs into her first problem when she reveals her menu to Mr Winner of pesto and quail’s egg bruschetta, followed by roast loin of lamb with seasonal vegetables and finishing with passion fruit and orange pudding.

Michael calls her and tells her he hates pesto. Determined not to be put off, Jane continues preparing her meal while Michael explores the town and tries to discover the correct pronunciation of Shrewsbury. He also calls in to a local tea room and has what he describes as, “the worst meal he’s ever had”.

At Jane’s house, her friends are impressed with her meal, but Michael keeps his silence as he makes notes for his assessment later. At the end of the programme Jane and another dinner party host from Solihull head down to London to meet Michael and get his verdict on their dinner.