Ainsley Harriott

website = http://www.ainsley-harriott.com/

Ainsley Harriott (born 28 February 1957) is an English celebrity chef. His best-known role is perhaps that of presenting the quick-fire cookery programme "Ready Steady Cook".

Biography

Personal life

Harriott was born in Paddington, West London. Harriott's wife, since they married in Wandsworth, London in 1992, is former costume designer, Clare Fellows (The sister of Graham Fellows, the creator of "John Shuttleworth" and "Jilted John"). They have two children, both born in Wandsworth: James Reuben Harriott (born 1990) and Madeleine Adaisma Harriott (born 1993). They also have a dog called Oscar.

Harriot is a supporter of Arsenal F.C. [ [http://www.arseweb.com/other/celebs.html Celebrity Arsenal fans] arseweb.com]

Personality

Harriot's famous catchphrase is: "What am I like?!" which he often says upon making a faux pas. He is commonly known to fans, old and young alike, as "Big Ains". [ [http://www.chowhound.com/topics/303889/ Who is the UK's best chef? - U.K./Ireland] chowhound.com]

Family

Hariott is of Jamaican and Barbadian descent. Hariott is the son of pianist and actor Chester Harriott, he traces his ancestry to 19th century slaves, as well as slave owner George David Harriott. [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/whodoyouthinkyouare/new-stories/ainsley-harriott/index.shtml Ainsley Harriot Ethnic Background] bbc.co.uk]

Career

Early career

At sixteen, he obtained an apprenticeship at an East End restaurant and later worked as a commis (trainee) chef. However his talents lay in comedy and singing as well as cooking and Harriott formed the Calypso Twins with Paul Boross and released a record in the early 1990s, "World Party", which was a major turntable hit. The Calypso Twins went on to be regular headliners at The Comedy Store, London and Jongleurs and also performed all over America. They appeared on many TV and radio shows performing their comedy and music. Meanwhile, he continued to work as a chef, rising to head chef at Lord's Cricket Ground's Long Room when he was asked to present "More Nosh, Less Dosh" on BBC Radio 5. [ [http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/knowhow/ourexperts/ainsleyharriott/ BBC Good Food: Ainsley Harriott] bbcgoodfood.com]

Harriot has worked as a chef in numerous London restaurants hotels, including; the Dorchester, Brown’s, The Hilton, The Westbury, Café Pelican and Quaglino’s.

Television Work

He then crossed over to television to become the resident chef on "Good Morning with Anne and Nick" and then as the main presenter of "Can't Cook, Won't Cook" and later "Ready, Steady, Cook". These shows involved heavy participation with somewhat reluctant members of the public and were ideal for showcasing Harriott's rash, happy-go-lucky demeanour. However he has also presented more straightforward how-to-cook programmes such as "Ainsley's Barbecue Bible", "Ainsley's Meals in Minutes", "Ainsley's Big Cook Out" and "Ainsley's Gourmet Express."

In 2000, Harriott made his debut on US television with The Ainsley Harriott Show on WNBC in New York City. It lasted for 100 episodes before it was cancelled due to low ratings. Following this he went on to host "Ready.. Set... Cook!", the US version of "Ready Steady Cook". His time in America clearly left an impression on Detroit rapper Obie Trice, who name-checked him in the song "Adrenaline Rush" on the 8 Mile Soundtrack when he rapped: "I cook up the hot shit like Ainsley Harriott".

He is a fan of the British sci-fi comedy series "Red Dwarf", having played the part of a GELF chief in the episode "" in 1993. In 1998, for the show's 10th anniversary, Harriott presented a special edition of "Can't Cook, Won't Cook" called "Can't Smeg, Won't Smeg" with the cast of the show cooking a meal while remaining in character.

In September 2008, Harriott took part in the genealogy documentary series "Who Do You Think You Are?", and discovered facts about his family history.

Music Collaborations

Despite leaving the music industry in his early career to focus on television work Harriot has also collaborated with R'n'B artists "Forever In Love" (who consisted of singers Peter "Dick Van Dick" Strang and Ally 'MC' Wilson, along with human beat box Callum "I Look like Peter" McCrorie) providing additional vocals to the song "Sad Departure" on their breakthrough album "From the Depths of my Heart" in 2003.

Writing

Harriott is also a best selling author, so far publishing twelve books as well as numerous others in conjunction with his TV shows. Combined with foreign language versions of his books he has sold over 2 million books worldwide. He also has a monthly item "Meals in Minutes" in BBC Good Food Magazine, a weekly column in TV Quick, and writes regularly in the Young Telegraph.

Other Work

Harriott also does the voice over on the television advert for Covonia cough medicine and appears on Fairy Liquid television adverts.

Ainsley was the President of the Television and Radio Industries Club (TRIC) 2004-2005 and presented their prestigious Awards Ceremony that year.

He also has his own range of food, including pasta sauces, couscous and cereal bars.

Bibliography

* 1999 "Ainsley Harriott's Meals In Minutes" ("ISBN 0563551666")
* 2000 "Ainsley Harriott's Barbecue Bible" ("ISBN 056355181X")
* 2002 "Ainsley Harriott's Low-fat Meals In Minutes" ("ISBN 056353480X")
* 2002 "Ainsley Harriott's Gourmet Express" ("ISBN 0563488263")
* 2003 "Ainsley Harriott's All New Meals In Minutes" ("ISBN 056348750X")
* 2003 "Ainsley Harriott's Gourmet Express 2" ("ISBN 0563488603")
* 2003 "The Top 100 Recipes from Ready Steady Cook" ("ISBN 0563487291")
* 2004 "Ainsley Harriott's Friends and Family Cookbook" ("ISBN 0563487569")
* 2005 "Ainsley's Ultimate Barbecue Bible" ("ISBN 0563522178")
* 2006 "Ainsley Harriott's All New Meals In Minutes" ("ISBN 0563493216)
* 2006 "Ainsley Harriott's Feel Good Cookbook" ("ISBN 0563493526")
* 2008 "Ainsley Harriott's Fresh and Fabulous Meals in Minutes" ("ISBN 1846074444")

References

External links

*imdb name|id=0364368|name=Ainsley Harriott
* [http://www.ainsley-harriott.net/ ainsley-harriott.net] Fan Site
* [http://tric.org.uk TRIC] The Television and Radio Industries Club
* [http://www.findmypast.com Births and Marriages England and Wales 1984-2006]

###@@@KEY@@@###succession box
before = Fern Britton
title = Host of Ready Steady Cook
years = 2000-present
after = Incumbent