HE is the scourge of Masterchef competitors with his merciless comments on their food, but now celebrated restaurant critic and writer William Sitwell’s own food comes under scrutiny at his newly launched West Somerset supper club.

He has converted the cowshed of his new family home, Rooks Nest Farm, at Brompton Ralph near Wiveliscombe, into a professional kitchen and a dining room featuring a massive table seating 62 people.

William Sitwell, 52, said: "I call it Somerset’s longest table. If anyone has a longer table, I’m all ears!"

Food for the monthly suppers will be cooked by friends who are famous chefs, invited to work their magic with local produce. "Somerset has the best ingredients in the country and we are lucky enough to have them on our doorstep. We will celebrate fantastic food in a fabulous location.

He added: "I have run my supper club for many years at our previous home in Northamptonshire and at various locations in London, including, most recently, the department store Fortnum & Mason.

"Now I’m excited to be launching in Somerset where you’ll see great names and sensational food," he said. "Month in, month out we’ll celebrate fantastic food in a fabulous location."

Forthcoming feasts will include seafood, game and Indian food provided by such culinary stars as Rowley Leigh, Tim Zekki, Ton Godber-Moore and Atul Kocchar.

Restaurant critic for the Daily Telegraph, and a best-selling author, William Sitwell is one of the country’s leading food writers and has been a regular judge on the BBC’s Masterchef for nearly 20 years.