I’m a mum of two young children - here’s why Mary's Foolproof Dinners is the cooking series parents need

There’s something rather comforting about settling in on the sofa, watching Mary Berry work her cool, calm and collected magic in the kitchen. I must admit, my own kitchen is mostly far more chaotic.

And, while I’m no Gordon Ramsey, I’m capable of whipping up a fairly wide variety of largely edible meals for my family, so there’s also something rather nice about watching someone who is less of a chef than you are. Which is why launching the brand new series, Mary's Foolproof Dinners, with Alan Carr as the first guest, made the viewing experience all the more special.

In the first episode, the comedian confesses to loving classic home-cooked comfort food but, not knowing how to cook it, resorts instead to takeaway food. So, in a bid to learn how to cook before he turns 50 he turned to the 'queen of cakes' for help.

During the episode, Mary's snoop into the fridge reveals it is almost empty and a fire alarm interrupting the cooking is a reminder that celebrities are human too and perhaps the ill-prepared and oft-times manic nature of my own kitchen endeavours is probably being echoed up and down the country. It's a comfort to know, as mum guilt continues to try to make us all feel like a failure, that we're each facing the same trials at the stovetop every evening.

Throughout the programme, Mary leads the less than confident Alan through the process of preparing delicious and foolproof recipes, including decadent parma ham and cauliflower cheese parcels; simple but sensational honey mustard chicken with rustic potatoes; speedy beef chow mein which you can whip up quicker than a takeaway; and nostalgic and comforting apricot upside-down pudding.

And it’s not just showbiz personalities who will be won over by these recipes, I would consider whipping up any of these for my husband and two primary school aged children too. And, as every busy parent will know, finding food that’s going to please both the adults and young people in a household is no mean feat.

There is also an accompanying Mary’s Foolproof Dinners recipe book to go with the series, currently half price at WHSmith, priced at £14 down from £28. The collection of 120 brand-new recipes promises to "make every evening effortless".

I’m not sure the claim will stretch as far as getting the kids to brush their teeth and get ready for bed without complaint but if it makes mealtimes easier then I’ll take that.