Ainsley Harriott

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Ainsley Harriott Biography

Ainsley Hariott - Personal appearances, celebrity chef
Topics:
  • Food & Wine
  • TV/Radio Presenter

Ainsley Harriott is a celebrity chef - his most well-known role is perhaps that of presenting the quick-fire cookery programme Ready Steady Cook.

Ainsley was born in Balham in south London. He is married to former costume designer, Clare Fellows. They have two children and a dog called Oscar.

From Cooking to Comedy

At sixteen, he obtained an apprenticeship at an East End restaurant and later worked as a commis chef. However his talents lay in comedy and singing as well as cooking and Ainsley formed the Calypso Twins with Paul Boross and released a record in the early 1990s, "Not Me Boss!", reaching number 113 in the UK charts. This was to be, his only dabble in the music business as his television career blossomed. He appeared on television for the first time in a small role in the sci-fi comedy series Red Dwarf in 1993. 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.

Television

Ainsley 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 Ainsley's happy-go-lucky demeanor. 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, Ainsley made his debut on US television with The Ainsley Harriott Show on WNBC in New York City. Following this he went on to host Ready.. Set... Cook!, the US version of Ready Steady Cook.

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

His famous catchphrase is: "What am I like?!" which he often says upon making a faux pas.

For further information or to book Ainsley Harriott, call us at Speakers Corner on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk

Outside of appearing and speaking at live corporate and private events Ainsley Harriott has a number of retail products available that can be purchased through Speakers Corner. For upcoming new book and product launches related to Ainsley Harriott then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 208 365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk

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Ainsley Harriott News

A selection of relevant news related to Ainsley Harriott and Food & Wine stories. For more information on Ainsley Harriott or details as to how to book Ainsley Harriott for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk

Revolving restaurant in London's BT Tower is to reopen after 30 years
2nd November 2009Gary Rhodes, Heston Blumenthal and Jamie Oliver are to be approached by BT to run the revolving restaurant at the top of the BT Tower (formerly the Post Office Tower) when it re-opens at the end of 2011 after a 30 year closure.
Gü Brings Sweet Success for James Averdieck
16th December 2008Gü Chocolate Puds, founded by James Averdieck in 2003 has recently become a multi award winner. Not content with scooping the New Exporter of the Year Award, sponsored by UK Trade and Investment, Gü Chocolate Puds also went on to be crowned the overall Food and Drink Exporter of the Year 2008.
Lisa Faulkner wins Celebrity Masterchef
25th August 2010Lisa Faulkner cooked up a storm to win Celebrity Masterchef, beating finalists Dick Strawbridge and Christine Hamilton to the title. Masterchef judge, John Torode praised Lisa's 'natural touch and fantastic palate'.
The Good Food Guide rates The Fat Duck as the top
11th August 2010Heston Blumenthal's restaurant 'The Fat Duck' has been voted the top restaurant in the UK for the third year in a row. Other top chefs that appeared in the top 10 included Marcus Wareing, Raymond Blanc and Gordon Ramsey
Britain’s Biggest Beer Festival Kicks off Today
3rd August 2010The Great British Beer Festival descends on Earls Court today and fans of the special brew include not only keynote speakers such as Oz Clarke but also celebrity chefs from Gordon Ramsey to Brian Turner.
Lawrence Dallaglio puts his name to a pasta sauce - a diversion from rugby and conference speaking
29th September 2009The former England and Wasps rugby player and renowned motivational conference speaker has teamed up with the Salca, the Italian sauce maker best known for their pesto sauce. The Dallaglio sauces will be on Waitrose's shelves this week and at a premium price, are aimed at the top end market. Since Lawrence Dallaglio is one of Speakers Corner's favourite motivators, we'll all be queuing in the aisles at Waitrose later in the week with our own consumer test!
Top Chefs to Cook for Wounded War Heroes
18th September 2009Paul Gayler, Chef de Cuisine at The Lanesborough has created the event Chefs for Heroes to raise money for the charity Help for Heroes. Paul will lead a team of top chefs as they cook a five course meal to raise funds for troops wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. Celebrity chefs including Heston Blumenthal, Ainsley Harriott, Antonio Carluccio, Aldo Zilli and Anthony Worrall Thompson have given their support to the project and will be serving the diners on the evening.
Celebrity Masterchef returns to our screens tonight
21st July 2010It's that time of year again, when even the most competant celebrity chefs have problems completing a simple task like boiling potatoes as soon as they enter the Masterchef kitchen. The celebrities competing in this year's Masterchef include, former Dragon Richard Farleigh, athlete Colin Jackson, Christine Hamilton and former BBC royal correspondant, Jennie Bond.
Heston Blumenthal and Gordon Ramsay named as the two best restaurateurs in the UK
19th August 2009The Good Food Guide 2010 has awarded the highest possible accolade to Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck Restaurant, awarding only him ten points out of ten for the second year in a row. Gordon Ramsay was given nine points for his flagship restaurant in Cheslea. Again he is the only restaurateur to collect nine points, making Heston and Gordon the two finest chefs in the country.
The gastro-tastic Taste London festival hits London this weekend
18th June 2010Celebrate summer in the city at the Taste of London festival in Regent's Park. Now in its seventh year, Taste of London is London's first and largest pop-up restaurant festival. The festival brings together 40 of the capital's restaurants, great chefs like Heston Blumenthal and Giorgio Locatelli at the Taste Theatre, and an extraordinary range of quality food and drink from Britain and around the world. Save the date - this is the foodie event of the season.

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