Men often joke that a woman’s place is in the kitchen. But now Come Dine With Me winner Kate Mayer from Rossendale explains why women should rejoice in the saying — and use it to launch a new career from home.

MANY women have been told they make the best gravy or bake the fluffiest cakes in town.

And many more take great pride in slaving away over a hot stove to produce home-cooked treats for their loved ones.

Not everyone, however, can go on telly and win £1,000 for their talents — but, according to Come Dine With Me champion Kate Mayer, of Bacup Road, Rawtenstall, they can go one better.

Kate, a project manager for Pennine Lancashire Enterprise Trust, says stay-at-home women can turn their hobbies into businesses and make a living from home.

The 28-year-old, who won the Channel 4 show after impressing guests with a meal inspired by her foreign travels, dreams of running her own cooking company.

But for now she advises other women how they can through the Valley Trust’s No Limits ‘Women Mean Business’ project.

And it’s not just good cooks who can take advantage of the scheme, launched last year, as Kate explained.

“Our clients are starting all kinds of businesses, including catering and things like life coaching, graphic design, interior design, business consultancy, even sewing. The list is endless.

"I provide free support for anyone in the local area who wants to set up their own business.

"It’s easier than you’d think for women who want to turn their hobby into a business,” she said.

Kate said the project was aimed at encouraging women, in particular mums, to make a living without even having to set foot outside the home.

“With men twice as likely to start a business as women, we recognise the barriers faced by women and our female-friendly service is designed to help women overcome these while looking after children and running a home.

“Part-time businesses and home businesses in general are becoming more and more popular with women, particularly if they have family commitments.”

Last week Kate, who worked at The Bay Horse in Fence for 10 years, was crowned the winner after a dinner party in her Rossendale apartment.

The menu was a three-course meal of caramelised red onion and goat's cheese tartlets on a spinach and rocket salad for starter, a main course of monkfish with king prawns and crevettes and a Baileys brulee for pudding.

Kate, who goes on a cookery course where ever she goes on holiday, comes from a family of foodies.

Her grandparents owned a bakery in Rawtenstall and Kate’s mum — who taught her to cook — runs a catering business.

Kate was filmed picking up ingredients from Crawshawbooth delicatessen and butchers Rileys.

She was up against four other cooks, including property developer Mark Hogg and artist Sarah Rothwell, both from Ramsbottom.

Kate added: “I’m happiest in the kitchen. There’s nothing more relaxing than getting home and cooking something with a glass of wine in my hand.

"I think it’s great that women are starting to make a business out of their favourite hobby.”

l For one of Kate’s winning recipes see the food page in Saturday’s Weekend supplement.