Adrian Cole from Cole Flatt and Partners in Berkhamsted went up against seven other contestants in ITV's Britain's Best Dish.

The show sees amateur cooks attempt to win over a panel of judges with their signature dish.

But judges were unimpressed with Mr Cole's offering of three truffle dishes and culinary connoisseur Jilly Goolden was particularly scathing.

Mr Cole, who lives in Little Tring, said: "One of the judges wasn't very polite about my cooking skills.

"I cooked truffles in three different ways - one with eggs, one with pasta and one with black pudding and potato.

"They weren't terribly nice about it, saying it was rather expensive and you need a deep pocket, which isn't strictly true."

The trained chartered surveyor has had a passion for cooking for many years and also runs his own online truffle firm with business partner Nigel Hadden-Paton.

Mr Cole said: "I enjoy cooking and other people are kinder about my cooking than Jilly Goolden was.

"I have always been interested in cooking. I annoy my family because I make a mess and get in a temper."

Mr Cole appeared on the show on Tuesday, September 23 but did not make it through to the next round in the quest to find the country's best dish.

Find out more about his truffle business by visiting www.truffle-uk.co.uk