A food critic gave a ‘glowing’ review to volunteer cooks at a charity lunch club.

MasterChef critic William Sitwell saw the cooks at work at the Royal Voluntary Service’s Mill End Lunch Club in Rickmansworth for a spoof MasterChef documentary posted on YouTube yesterday.

William Sitwell, said: “I have had the good fortune to dine in many of the world’s best restaurants, but when it comes to healthy, hearty food, the Rickmansworth lunch club would be hard to beat.

“These home cooked classics, served with spirit and love, are what makes British food the best in the world.”

The critic was served shepherd’s pie and bread and butter pudding.

The film was created as part of a campaign called Cooking for a Crowd, which recognises its volunteers who serve 50,000 meals to elderly people across the country.

Volunteer cook Tricia Hegde served both the MasterChef judge and the club’s regular diners.

Tricia, 66, has been a volunteer at the Mill End Lunch Club for eight years.

She said: “Having William Sitwell visit felt no different.

“I’m used to cooking for a crowd, so one more wasn’t going to make much difference.

“Whether we’re cooking for a MasterChef critic or Kay who lives down the road, we will always put in our best effort.”

The lunch club meets regularly and are open to anyone over 50, attendees are able to enjoy a two-course meal for £5.

The Mill End Lunch Club is open every weekday from 12pm to 2pm.