On the outside Riaan Steyn is a hard-core detective. But dig deeper and he’s softer than deep-fried ice-cream. Landscape gardener, Sarah Stevens takes no prisoners and is definitely not afraid to speak her mind. Mandi Sixaso, a telecoms engineer and far too polite for this lot, probably wishes he’d stayed up a high-voltage pole somewhere because also thrown into this episode’s mix is Maja Saffidien, an events manager who doesn’t drink – just as well, because even sober she proves a handful.

Night one falls to Saffidien, who seems a dab hand in the kitchen as she prepares her ‘talk of the town’ chicken with potato soufflé mains. She is determined that her evening remains alcohol free, but Steyn has another idea in mind.

Next up is nice-guy Steyn, whose hosting clearly outshines his cuisine. While the compliments don’t exactly flow, the champagne certainly does, even helping to calm Sixaso’s nerves at discovering his host could handcuff any of them, at any time.

From a dessert described as ‘diabolical’ to a disastrous prep and hosting night, the deck’s stacked against Sixaso from the start. His confession to having bagged his girlfriend through his cooking rings hollow when it’s discovered he’s in a long distance relationship – no one dares state the obvious.

No-nonsense Stevens is critical throughout the week, so as a pre-emptive strike, she hits them with some down-home style cooking - and it might just work.

This episode of Come Dine with Me SA will air on Monday, 4 November at 20:00 on BBC Entertainment, channel 120 on DStv.