IT'S not every day you have Phil Collins cooking up a storm in your kitchen. Not the actual pop star himself of course, but a chef of the same name.

And although he might not be a music legend, he certainly hits all the right notes in the kitchen

Phil is one of 250 professional chefs who work for a company called La Belle Assiette which aims to bring the restaurant experience to your home.

I was invited to organise a dinner party for six people and put the service to the test.

Phil arrived early Friday evening with all the ingredients - all I had to do was supply the dinner plates, cutlery and wine.

For starters we had a selection of canapes elegantly arranged on a sharing platter including Yorkshire puddings with slivers of tender beef and horseradish cream, pesto crostini with roasted balsamic cherry tomatoes and mini Hasselback potatoes with melted Dorset smoked cheddar.

It was then time to sit down at the table for our starter - a duo of salmon comprising of salmon Ceviche, smoked salmon, salsa Verde with horseradish cream.

Main course was Chicken Ballantine, slices of chicken breast filled with toasted walnuts, spinach and apricots, served with butter beans, celeriac and mushrooms topped with a sprinkling of colourful nasturtiums with their distinct peppery flavour.

Dessert was a creamy white chocolate crème brulee with salted caramel ice cream, a mixed berry compote and shortbread followed by a selection of local cheeses and chutney.

Each dish was elegant in presentation and first class in quality - it was the equivalent of a fine dining restaurant experience only in the comfort of your own home.

Phil who is based in Poole, and has worked seasons in France and Greece before returning to the UK last October, says he likes to keep his menus seasonal.

"I always try to keep it fresh and use local suppliers and I like to combine a variety of

different textures and flavours."

Prices vary depending on the number of guests and which menu you choose. Our five course menu for six people was £39 per head.

Phil also did the washing up. Hosting a dinner party has never been so easy! For more details, visit labelleassiette.co.uk/private-chef/dorset.