Journalist Anne Billson gave this first edition a somewhat dismissive review in The Times (April 18th, 1989):
"[...] in the first of a new series called The Reluctant Cook, Kevin Woodford helped "that zany chalet-maid actress" Su Pollard to prepare a meal, and managed to retain his cool in the face of her constant flapping and wittering. The grilled goat's cheese looked simple enough, and the sliced avocado was a doddle, but the chicken course required feats of co-ordination, and the programme-makers should note that we non-cooks would normally prefer to identify with, say, Catherine Deneuve."