Gary Rhodes and Jean Christophe Novelli take over the reigns

Gary Rhodes and Jean Christophe Novelli take over the reins, this time teaching members of the public rather than celebrities to cook.

Contestants will again be cooking for a packed restaurant, with guests not always guaranteed to even get fed.

At its peak the first series notched up ratings of eight million viewers.

It was won by former Brookside actress Jennifer Ellison, who went on to star in West End musical Chicago.

This time the 10 contestants will be split into two teams - headed by Rhodes and Novelli.

Varying experience

One of the aims of the new series will be to prove which is best - British or French cooking, with Novelli championing French cuisine and Rhodes teaching his students the art of British cooking.

The pair will have two weeks to knock the trainees into shape, with the winner vying for the chance to run their own restaurant.

The contestants have varying levels of experience in the kitchen.

Builder Stein Smart, 32, said: "I had a brush with catering college when I was at school.

"I used to go there on day release but got expelled after two months for putting laxatives in the chocolate cake.