A local dad is set to return to our screens tonight after success on an ITV cooking show.

Ian ‘Gold’ Golding is currently battling it out against professional cooks on Next Level Chef, but the Kings Langley resident usually just makes the family dinner.

Competitors must grab ingredients and create impressive dishes under time pressure in three kitchens across the three floors of a 50-foot tower to impress the judges.

Watford Observer: Ian GoldingIan Golding (Image: ITV/Studio Ramsay)

Gold said: “I got involved because I saw an advert on Facebook saying are you a home cook and do you want to get involved with a show with Gordon Ramsay and I am and I did.

“Cooking is my way of relaxing and my creative outlet and I just really like eating so I got better and better so people did often say you should go on MasterChef and then this came along.”

For episode four, on at 9pm tonight (February 1), the nine remaining cooks have been challenged to recreate a classic dish with the theme of family favourites.

“I was hoping this would play to my strengths,” he said.

The round also saw a guest appearance from Gordon Ramsay’s daughter Tilly. Gold explained that his own daughters were finally impressed by their dad when they found out he met her, as they are massive fans of her cooking shows.

The business owner also praised the quality of food available around Kings Langley, which he pays a visit to in the show.

When he isn’t cooking in a 50-foot tower, his “food hero” is The Langley Butcher. He lauded its high-quality meats and ability to find him unusual meats when he wants them for particular dishes.

He added that locals are lucky to have the high-quality Fred and Ginger Coffee and picked out the Alford Arms in Hemel Hempstead as a favourite gastropub.

Gold runs his own training company, Glow Training, based at the University of Hertfordshire, but hopes to eventually make his living through his passion for cooking.

He is looking to start offering private cheffing for local homes and pop-ups in the area.