The head of city centre management company OX1 has issued a Ready Steady Cook-style challenge to Oxford's chefs.

Oliver O'Dell is inviting those based in the city centre to demonstrate their cooking skills under pressure during an OX1 event at Oxford's Covered Market.

OX1 will run the challenge on Wednesday, November 19 and Thursday, November 20 to showcase the range of produce available from the Covered Market's food stalls.

The event, to promote the market, will include cookery demonstrations and public tastings, with all produce coming from the stalls.

OX1 is urging city centre chefs to volunteer for a slot on one of the two days.

Mr O'Dell said: "There'll be a good crowd in the Covered Market to watch, so the chefs will need to be able to talk through what they're doing, while preparing and cooking the dishes.

"They'll also face the challenge of rustling up a great Christmas dish outside the comfort zone of their normal kitchen, and have to cook using an electric oven, a microwave or a toaster."

Richard Alden, chairman of the Covered Market Traders' Association, welcomed the initiative.

He said: "This is the kind of event we like to see because it draws people into the market and makes them aware of the kind of local produce we sell. I think it could be a forerunner for similar events in the future."

The chefs' challenge is a taster for further market promotions on three Saturdays in December leading up to Christmas.

Mr O'Dell added: "Oxford's Covered Market is a great place to find all sorts of gifts and goodies and, of course, home to a wonderful selection of stalls selling fresh produce including meat, fish, vegetables, bread and cakes."

Mary Clarkson, the city councillor with responsibility for the Covered Market, said the chef challenge was "a fantastic idea" and added: "The Covered Market is recognised by top restaurants in the city and county for the meat and fish it provides."

Mrs Clarkson said councillors on the executive board would next month discuss recommendations for the market including a £50,000 investment in refurbishment to be spent by April.

Traders, hit by large rent rises from the council earlier this year, complained the authority was failing to invest enough in the upkeep of the market.

Chefs who are interested in taking part in the two-day cooking event should contact OX1 by email to info@ox1.uk.com or telephone 01865 304064 by Friday, October 17.