Is that allowed? Professional chef takes on Come Dine With Me challenge

Grayson Coutts (left) came third in NZ's Hottest Home Baker while Laurel Watson was the resident chef on TV One's Good Morning for more than 10 years.

It was originally billed as a competition for "amateur chefs" but TV3 says it has no issue with a professional chef taking part in Come Dine With Me.

Laurel Watson, who features on the series this week, worked as a professional chef on TV One's Good Morning for more than ten years. She also edited the magazine Essentially Food and is described online by This and That magazine as a "celebrity chef".

While she was open about her cupcake business on the show, there has been no mention of her extensive culinary experience.

Prior to starting her business Petal Cupcakes in Newmarket, Watson was the in-house chef for Good Morning from 1997 to 2009.

Another notable name, Grayson Coutts, was among contestants this week. The son of Russell Coutts, he also was the third place winner of New Zealand's Hottest Home Baker.

Come Dine With Me NZ is based on the successful UK series, which groups five strangers together, each hosting a dinner party at their home. Participants rate each other's meals, with the highest scorer taking home a $2000 prize.

A description of the British series on the Channel Four website reads: "Each week, five amateur chefs compete for the title of ultimate dinner party host."

This week's Come Dine With Me competitors don't know about Watson's culinary background

A spokeswoman for Mediaworks said the show was "for anyone who sees themselves as a great host" and it was "great to have someone of Laurel's caliber on the show".

She added that Watson's credentials did not necessarily mean that she would win at the end of the week.

"Even if you see yourself as a good cook, it doesn't necessarily mean all goes to plan on the night," she said. "The final decision is up to the guests and what they think of the whole experience on the night."

While the online application form for the show includes a question asking about professional cooking qualifications, this was to gather relevant information, she said.

"Applicants are asked if they have professional qualifications as part of ensuring all the relevant information about contestants entering this show is obtained.

"However there are no limitations on anyone who has a professional qualification."

Meanwhile, Watson has not gone unnoticed by viewers.

Catherine Holst rposted: "OMG that is Laurel who used to do the cooking on the classic Lambie-era 'Good Morning'!! She is an actual cook! Cheater cheater!"

OMG that is Laurel who used to do the cooking on the classic Lambie-era 'Good Morning'!! She is an actual cook! Cheater cheater! #CDWMNZ

— catherine (@cmcql) July 20, 2015

Watson could not be reached for comment.

- nzherald.co.nz