FOUR housewives from Ashwell may be ready to challenge chefs Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver in the kitchen after creating their own cookbook. Flavours of Ashwell was launched at the Village Hall on Sunday and is already a success with other residents and

FOUR housewives from Ashwell may be ready to challenge chefs Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver in the kitchen after creating their own cookbook.

Flavours of Ashwell was launched at the Village Hall on Sunday and is already a success with other residents and North East Herts MP Oliver Heald.

The cookbook which was put together by Pam Wallace, Christine Schwick, Jill Powell, and Bridget Long, contains 116 recipes.

Mrs Schwick said "We wanted to create a cookbook that reflected a modern Ashwell as the village has a real mix of people. The old village life remains but we also have a young vibrant community.

"There's also a lot of different nationalities and we wanted all these people to help with the book.

"As a result we have recipes that have been passed down through generations, international dishes, and new modern ideas."

Traditional recipes include soups, casseroles, cakes and puddings.

And for a more adventurous taste there are Chicken Yassa from Africa, Chocolate Chilli Biscuits from New Zealand, and Kebapeta from Bulgaria.

There are also low fat and vegetarian recipes, children's dishes and even ideas for dogs.

Mr Heald said: "I am delighted to own a copy of Flavours of Ashwell, and I encourage everyone to buy this excellent book."

Mrs Schwick said: "We also wanted the cookbook to look modern and we have definitely succeeded. It has a contemporary look to it and the illustrations look really good - it's very professional."

The book was designed and illustrated by residents Mike Feeney and Cathie Felstead.

Mrs Powell added: "The four of us worked extremely well together and it has been great fun creating the book. "But we couldn't have done it without the people of Ashwell."

Flavours of Ashwell has also been supported by top chef Tristan Welch, who is also Mrs Powell's nephew.

Tristan is the head chef at Marcus Wareing's Michelin-starred restaurant Petrus in Knightsbridge.

Mrs Powell said: "Tristan has been a tremendous help and it was good having his expertise on board.

"He's been impressed with some of the recipes, and you never know he may use some of them in his restaurant.