Ainsley Harriott
Encyclopedia
Ainsley Harriott is a British
celebrity chef and television presenter.
alto saxophonist Joe Harriott
, his talents also lay in comedy and singing as well as cooking and Harriott formed the Calypso Twins with schoolfriend Paul Boross, releasing a hit record in the early 1990s, "World Party". The Calypso Twins went on to be regular performers at The Comedy Store, London
and Jongleurs
They also performed in America and on TV and radio shows. Ainsley became head chef at Lord's Cricket Ground
's Long Room. He was asked to present More Nosh, Less Dosh on BBC Radio 5
, and also has appeared as an extra in Hale and Pace
including a musical sketch for 'R.Sole Real Estate Agents' where he appeared as a sailor.
Harriott has worked as a chef in London hotels and restaurants including the Dorchester, Brown’s, The Hilton
, The Westbury, Café Pelican and Quaglino’s.
and then as the main presenter of Can't Cook, Won't Cook
and later Ready, Steady, Cook. These shows involved heavy participation with members of the public and were ideal for showcasing Harriott's 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, syndicated by Buena Vista Television, which ran for more than 100 episodes. 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 Emohawk: Polymorph II
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.
Ainsley was guest chef on Something For The Weekend
on 10 May 2009 and 21 February 2010 alongside guests JLS
In February 2010, Harriott joined the morning show GMTV with Lorraine featuring cookery recipes.
Harriott also does the voice over on the television advert for Covonia
cough medicine and appeared 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.
Harriott made a guest episode in the BBC radio comedy series Giles Wemmbley Hogg Goes Off as himself, in 2006.
Ainsley played the role of The Narrator in The Rocky Horror Show
at the Churchill Theatre
, Bromley
in October 2010, and again at Richmond Theatre
in November 2010.
. They have two children.
Black British
Black British is a term used to describe British people of Black African descent, especially those of Afro-Caribbean background. The term has been used from the 1950s to refer to Black people from former British colonies in the West Indies and Africa, who are residents of the United Kingdom and...
celebrity chef and television presenter.
Early career
Trained at Westminster College of Catering, Ainsley obtained an apprenticeship at Verrey's restaurant in the West End and later worked as a commis (trainee) chef. The son of pianist Chester Harriott, whose cousin was free jazzFree jazz
Free jazz is an approach to jazz music that was first developed in the 1950s and 1960s. Though the music produced by free jazz pioneers varied widely, the common feature was a dissatisfaction with the limitations of bebop, hard bop, and modal jazz, which had developed in the 1940s and 1950s...
alto saxophonist Joe Harriott
Joe Harriott
Joseph Arthurlin 'Joe' Harriott was a Jamaican jazz musician and composer, whose principal instrument was the alto saxophone....
, his talents also lay in comedy and singing as well as cooking and Harriott formed the Calypso Twins with schoolfriend Paul Boross, releasing a hit record in the early 1990s, "World Party". The Calypso Twins went on to be regular performers at The Comedy Store, London
The Comedy Store, London
The Comedy Store is a comedy club located in Soho, London, England, opened in 1979 by Don Ward and Peter Rosengard.It was named after The Comedy Store club in the United States, which Rosengard had visited the previous year...
and Jongleurs
Jongleurs
Jongleurs is a chain of comedy clubs in the United Kingdom. Maria Kempinska MBE established and opened the first Jongleurs club in 1983 in Battersea, London. In 1985 Maria then met her business partner John Davy, and together they built the Jongleurs brand. The company evolved into a corporate...
They also performed in America and on TV and radio shows. Ainsley became head chef at Lord's Cricket Ground
Lord's Cricket Ground
Lord's Cricket Ground is a cricket venue in St John's Wood, London. Named after its founder, Thomas Lord, it is owned by Marylebone Cricket Club and is the home of Middlesex County Cricket Club, the England and Wales Cricket Board , the European Cricket Council and, until August 2005, the...
's Long Room. He was asked to present More Nosh, Less Dosh on BBC Radio 5
BBC Radio Five Live
BBC Radio 5 Live is the BBC's national radio service that specialises in live BBC News, phone-ins, and sports commentaries...
, and also has appeared as an extra in Hale and Pace
Hale and Pace
Hale and Pace are an English comedy duo who have starred in several TV sketch series.-Early career:Gareth Hale and Norman Pace met at Avery Hill teacher training college in Eltham South East London. They discovered much in common, particularly humour, and began playing clubs in a comedy band. One...
including a musical sketch for 'R.Sole Real Estate Agents' where he appeared as a sailor.
Harriott has worked as a chef in London hotels and restaurants including the Dorchester, Brown’s, The Hilton
The London Hilton on Park Lane
The London Hilton on Park Lane is a hotel situated on Park Lane, overlooking Hyde Park in the exclusive Mayfair district of London. It is tall and has 28 storeys and 450 rooms. It was completed in 1963 and was designed by William B. Tabler Architects. It is a concrete framed building, and it is...
, 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 NickGood Morning with Anne and Nick
Good Morning with Anne and Nick was a BBC1 daytime television show presented by Anne Diamond and Nick Owen, from October 1992 to May 1996. The pair had previously presented TV-am on ITV, but now directly competed with ITV's This Morning....
and then as the main presenter of Can't Cook, Won't Cook
Can't Cook, Won't Cook
Can't Cook, Won't Cook was a UK game show and cooking programme that was broadcast on BBC1 on weekday mornings usually after the Breakfast News from 20 November 1995 to 7 July 2000.-Format:...
and later Ready, Steady, Cook. These shows involved heavy participation with members of the public and were ideal for showcasing Harriott's 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, syndicated by Buena Vista Television, which ran for more than 100 episodes. Following this he went on to host Ready.. Set... Cook!
Ready.. Set... Cook!
Ready.. Set... Cook! was a cooking game show that debuted on the Food Network in the US on October 2, 1995. The show's format was based upon the UK series Ready Steady Cook, and originally hosted by television personality Robin Young.-Hosts:...
, the US version of Ready Steady Cook
Ready Steady Cook
Ready Steady Cook was a BBC daytime TV cooking programme it first debuted on 24 October 1994 and the last edition was broadcast on the 2 February 2010. The programme was hosted by Fern Britton from 1994 until 2000 when celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott became the new host...
. His time in America clearly left an impression on Detroit rapper Obie Trice
Obie Trice
Obie Trice III is an American rapper and songwriter. He began rapping at the age of 11, and is most known for his time spent signed to Shady Records. Obie Trice has formed his own record label, Black Market Entertainment.-Biography:...
, who name-checked him in the song "Adrenaline Rush" on the 8 Mile Soundtrack
8 Mile (soundtrack)
-Album:-Singles:-Certifications:...
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
Red Dwarf
Red Dwarf is a British comedy franchise which primarily comprises eight series of a television science fiction sitcom that aired on BBC Two between 1988 and 1999 and Dave from 2009–present. It gained cult following. It was created by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, who also wrote the first six series...
, having played the part of a GELF
GELF
G.E.L.F. or simply GELF is an acronym for Genetically Engineered LifeForm. It was used in two science fiction television programs, originally appearing in the BBC's cult sitcom Red Dwarf, and later on in the U.S...
chief in the episode Emohawk: Polymorph II
Emohawk: Polymorph II
"Emohawk: Polymorph II" is the fourth episode of the British science fiction sitcom TV show Red Dwarf VI and the 34th in the series run. It was first broadcast on BBC2 on 28 October 1993. Written by Rob Grant & Doug Naylor and directed by Andy de Emmony, the episode features the crew again being...
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.
Ainsley was guest chef on Something For The Weekend
Something for the Weekend (2000s BBC TV series)
Something for the Weekend is a British television series, broadcast on BBC Two on Sunday mornings. It features cookery, drinks, interviews with celebrity guests and clips from the week's television, as well as classic clips in the 'Deja View' section...
on 10 May 2009 and 21 February 2010 alongside guests JLS
JLS
- Music :* JLS, an English boyband** JLS , debut album by JLS* JLS a Spanish Rock band based in Zaragoza , Spain formed in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic by lead Leo Susana.- Organizations :...
In February 2010, Harriott joined the morning show GMTV with Lorraine featuring cookery recipes.
Harriott also does the voice over on the television advert for Covonia
Covonia
Covonia is a brand of cough and cold remedies owned by Thornton & Ross Ltd since 1968. Covonia Cold and Flu formula, is the strongest non-prescription cold and flu formula available in the UK and contains the following active ingredients:* Paracetamol...
cough medicine and appeared on Fairy Liquid television adverts.
Writing
Harriott is also a best-selling author, so far publishing twelve books as well as numerous others in conjunction with his TV shows. Including foreign-language translations, he has sold over 2 million books worldwide.Other work
He also has his own range of food, including couscous, soups and cereal bars.Ainsley was the President of the Television and Radio Industries Club
Television and Radio Industries Club
The Television and Radio Industries Club is a British institution chartered in 1931 to "promote goodwill in the television and radio industries"...
(TRIC) 2004–2005 and presented their prestigious Awards Ceremony that year.
Harriott made a guest episode in the BBC radio comedy series Giles Wemmbley Hogg Goes Off as himself, in 2006.
Ainsley played the role of The Narrator in The Rocky Horror Show
The Rocky Horror Show
The Rocky Horror Show is a long-running British horror comedy stage musical, which opened in London on 19 June 1973. It was written by Richard O'Brien, produced and directed by Jim Sharman. It came eighth in a BBC Radio 2 listener poll of the "Nation's Number One Essential Musicals"...
at the Churchill Theatre
Churchill Theatre
The Churchill Theatre in Bromley, south east London was built by the London Borough of Bromley to designs by its borough architect's department.It is carefully integrated into the central library complex overlooking Church House Gardens and Library Gardens...
, Bromley
Bromley
Bromley is a large suburban town in south east London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Bromley. It was historically a market town, and prior to 1963 was in the county of Kent and formed the administrative centre of the Municipal Borough of Bromley...
in October 2010, and again at Richmond Theatre
Richmond Theatre
The present Richmond Theatre, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, is a British Victorian theatre located on Little Green, adjacent to Richmond Green. It opened on 18 September 1899 with a performance of As You Like It, and is one of the finest surviving examples of the work of theatre...
in November 2010.
Personal life
Ainsley Harriott is married to former costume designer Clare Fellows, the youngest sister of comedian actor Graham FellowsGraham Fellows
Graham David Fellows is an English comedy actor and musician, best known for creating the characters of John Shuttleworth and Jilted John.-Early life:...
. They have two children.
External links
- Ainsley Harriott on the My Kitchen Table website
- ainsley-harriott.net Fan Site
- TRIC The Television and Radio Industries Club
- Ainsley Harriot Recipes