Come Dine with Me comes to Staffordshire, where professional opera singer Charlotte Pearson kicks off the week. Project manager Carl Longson is immediately on the wind-up as his chauvinistic tendencies leave the group flabbergasted, especially fabric artist Ingrid Wagner. On the second evening, Ingrid's flamboyant style is matched by her 'food of the world' menu; alas, it's dust that leaves an unwanted and lasting impression on guests. Super confident Richard Turnbull is out to impress, but come his night, the car salesman has his work cut out with an over-ambitious menu. That said, Richard's food is somewhat overshadowed by Carl's behaviour as he goes a step too far with Charlotte; she takes umbrage at his views on the former Miss Stafford's modelling days. After a week of pushing people's buttons, it's Carl himself who feels he might have scuppered his chances. He's worried no one will turn up! Fortunately, they do, but he still has a job on his hands trying to prove he deserves his place in the kitchen.