BBC2?s teatime series Ready Steady Cook will be getting very fruity next month when a Buckland Monachorum woman appears on the popular show to promote the Bramley Apple, first introduced commercially by her grandfather over 150 years ago.

Celia Steven and her son Thomas will be battling it out to win the chefing challenge hosted by TV chef Ainsley Harriot with cooking geniuses Brian Turner and Lesley Walters on September 18.

The programme was filmed last week at Capital Studios in London and according to Mrs Steven, the experience was fantastic and educational!

The retired horticulturalist was selected to appear on the show after having a word with one of the programme?s chefs James Tanner, who has a restaurant in Plymouth.

? James used to be an apple grower and he told me to write in so I did,? she said.

?The programme makers said they were happy to promote the Bramley Apple which is what I spend most of my time doing these days.

?Mr great grandfather was fruit grower Henry Merryweather who first introduced the Bramley after discovering it growing in someone?s cottage garden. I tour around the Westcountry doing talks and publicity events to keep it in the public eye.?

Chef Brian Turner cooked up a feast of apple with Cornish Yarg cheese, loin of pork and sweet potatoes which were the contents of Mrs Steven?s shopping bag whilst her rival was getting to grips with liver and bacon.

Mrs Steven said she got some great tips from the chefs which she would use when she got home.

?It was great fun and a real experience, something completely different,? she said. ?They really do only get 20 minutes to cook the food after coming up with recipe ideas on the spot,? she said.

?Ainsley Harriot did his job brilliantly and it is quite amazing what the chefs can create in such a short period of time.

?The food was delicious although you do not get much of a chance to sample it before it is whisked away ? most of it ends up in the cameraman?s stomach!?

The Buckland Monachorum resident said she had often wondered what lay beneath the cooking area and it was a simple calor gas stove, a pile of dishes and a plastic bucket for the rubbish.

?It really is quite a basic set and the chef is the real star with the contestant running around playing the gopher,? she said.

Both contestants received free Ready Steady Cook aprons and the winner was presented with a cheque for £100.

You will have to tune in at teatime on September 18 to find out who won the challenge but St Andrews Primary School at Buckland Monachorum will benefit whatever the outcome because the money is going towards their new community orchard.

Mrs Steven hopes the programme will help promote the Tamar Valley variety of the Bramley Apple and fruit growers everywhere.

She plans to hold an Apple Day celebration and a children?s Bramley Apple Pie competition in Buckland Monachorum on October 11.