Ainsley Harriott is the charismatic, larger than life presenter of BBC Two's Ready Steady Cook.
"My aim is to make cooking fun," says Ainsley. Since he first appeared on TV in 1993, his flamboyant style has certainly made people want to try his recipes. Ainsley's career as a chef and entertainer has been built up over the past 25 years.
At 16, he was made junior trainee in a West End restaurant and later graduated to commis chef. It wasn't long before he got itchy feet and toured Europe as part of a musical duo (his show-business talents were probably inherited from his musician/actor dad, Chester). Once back in England, he teamed up with Paul Boross to form the Calypso Twins, gaining several TV credits, a record release and a prominent position on London's comedy circuit.
He also worked in top restaurants, as a caterer to celebrities, a singer and a comedian on radio and TV.
But cooking remained Ainsley's first love, so he pursued his career in top hotels and gained experience in all aspects of the craft. BBC Radio asked him to present More Nosh, Less Dosh, then a call from BBC TV's Good Morning with Anne and Nick led to Ainsley becoming the programme's resident chef. From there his popularity grew with Ready Steady Cook and Can't Cook, Won't Cook.
In 1997, Ainsley's first solo series, Ainsley's Barbecue Bible, took him around the world, sampling and cooking the very best open-air food. This was followed by Ainsley's Meals in Minutes, Ainsley's Big Cook Out and two successful series of Ainsley's Gourmet Express.
Ainsley's lifelong passion for cooking is a tribute to his mother, Peppy, who encouraged him to help cook for family and friends in what was always an open house in Balham, south London. Following the rules he learned from his mother, he advises people to "use fresh ingredients, have everything ready beforehand and never say 'it's too difficult'!" His philosophy is that simple dishes can be just as good as fancy ones.
What are you looking forward to doing during your forthcoming visit to Dubai?
Everyone is talking about Dubai at the moment; it’s definitely the hottest new holiday destination. I won’t have much time for sightseeing, but I’m certainly looking forward to enjoying some of the legendary hotel hospitality and relaxation – when I’m not working, of course! I’m also hoping to go on a desert safari, if my schedule allows it.
Who inspired you to take up cooking as a vocation?
My mother, who was a marvellous cook, always encouraged her children to get involved in the kitchen, so the interest was there from a very early age. Later, a trip to France with a school friend had a big effect – it widened my horizons and inspired me to go to catering college.
What is it about Arabian cuisine that fascinates you?
I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world making food programmes and, in the process, learn to draw on a huge number of influences. The Arabian influence is increasingly popular and important, not least because much of it is healthy. I even have a range of flavoured couscous which, I’m delighted to say, has been very successful and is still growing. Three Arabian influenced dishes from my books would be:
Kofta kebabs with chilli yoghurt (from Low Fat Meals In Minutes)
Falafels (from Low Fat Meals In Minutes)
Lamb tagine with minted herbed couscous (from All New Meals In Minutes)
Indian cuisine too features prominently on your programme. Is that one of your favourites too?
Well, of course, there is a long-standing link between Britain and India and curry is now considered to be our national dish. Most people eat an Indian-style meal at least once a week - I certainly do - and a couple of my favourites are
Cheeky Chicken Tikka Masala (from Gourmet Express)
Lamb Shank Rogan Josh (from Gourmet Express 2)
What is your favourite piece of equipment in the kitchen?
The most fundamental tool is the knife and it’s absolutely essential to have a good one. There are so many to choose from these days, but I would recommend taking the trouble to find one that suits you and don’t be afraid to spend that little extra; it’s well worth it. As to the kitchen, I’m a great believer in plenty of work surface. You can have all the gadgets you want, but if you’re trying to chop and mix a number of ingredients in a cramped space, it’s a nightmare.
Do you enjoy gardening and other such pursuits in the house?
I’m not a major gardener - although, of course, you can’t beat freshly picked vegetables and you probably know that I love a barbecue! I think we’re all interested in interior design to some extent – after all, like food, it’s something that’s in our lives every day - and I’m looking forward to seeing my old friend Laurence at the show; he’s always got some great new ideas
What is your advise to cooks/chefs learning the craft?
Nothing can prepare you for the pressure of learning your craft in such an intensive environment; it’s very daunting. But you do learn and you become confident. Confidence is an extremely important ingredient and a lack of it is what stops many people attempting to widen their cooking skills and try new dishes. Definitely one of the most testing challenges is Ready Steady Cook – and you’d be surprised how many well-known chefs have failed to make the grade on that programme.
Your latest book is now ready for release. How do you feel?
I love book signings. Mine do tend to overrun because I love meeting people and everyone wants to chat - in fact, it’s a bit like doing another show. My new book, Ainsley Harriott’s Feel Good Cookbook, was published this September - so I think copies will be available at the Dubai Ideal Home Show.
Show Profile:
The Ideal Home Show launched in 2005 to a fantastic reception from visitors and exhibitors. Presenting great products and entertaining celebrity presentations, it caught the imagination of the Dubai public and its media. The 2006 show is building upon this successful launch to firmly establish the Ideal Home as an annual consumer event of choice for Dubai’s residents and visitors. Ideal Home provides a ‘one stop shop’ to see the very best that of local companies (retailers) have to offer.
Company profile:
The Messe Frankfurt Dubai team has over 20 year’s experience of organising international trade fairs throughout the world. The successful portfolio of events they organise in Dubai include Intersec,Materials Handling & Logistics, Hardware & Tools, Garden + Landscaping, ISH – Kitchen + Bath,, Light Middle East, Beautyworld Middle East, Wellness & Spas Middle East, Interior Lifestyle Middle East, Hometech Middle East, Automechanika, Dubai Ideal Home Show and the Middle East Toy Fair. Messe Frankfurt is a subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt, the world’s second largest trade fair organiser conducting over 100 events worldwide with 15 subsidiaries across Europe, Asia, America, Africa and the Middle East.
