Patterson, asserting that the poisonings were unintentional, disclosed on Wednesday how she prepared the beef Wellington dish.

“I cooked it thoroughly. I tasted it multiple times. It seemed tasteless, so I decided to add some mushrooms I had purchased from the grocer,” she stated to a packed courtroom and 14 jurors.

Patterson recalled making six beef Wellington parcels, ensuring they would be done and resting out of the oven by 12.30pm when her guests arrived.

Victoria Police detective senior constable Stephen Eppingstall (rear left, in suit) and Ian Wilkinson (right, in dark jumper and light-colored trousers) are seen arriving at the Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court in Morwell, Victoria. Source: AAP / James Ross

Patterson said she plated up five beef Wellington dishes with mashed potatoes and green beans and told her guests to grab a plate. She said there were no assigned plates or seats at the table.