Ainsley Harriott

After almost two decades as one of the country’s favourite TV chefs, Ainsley Harriott has become something of a national institution. Best known for his twenty-one series of Ready, Steady, Cook, and with many solo primetime cooking series under his belt, he has become the master of fresh, fun, accessible cuisine.

Ainsley trained at Westminster College before a career in London’s top hotels and restaurants - and with his years of experience working in professional kitchens, he has developed a deep understanding of his craft. In the early 1990s Ainsley was invited to become resident chef on BBC TV’s Good Morning With Anne And Nick. This in turn led to Ready, Steady, Cook and his tv career took off. Series include Ainsley’s Barbeque Bible, Ainsley’s Meals in Minutes, The Hidden Camera Show, Ainsley's Gourmet Express, Ainsley Harriott’s Street Food and Len and Ainsley’s Big Food Adventure in the UK, The Ainsley Harriott Show and Ready, Set, Cook for the US and Off The Menu for South Africa. His latest island-hopping network series, Ainsley’s Caribbean Kitchen, was a big hit on ITV. Ainsley’s Mediterranean Cookbook will air on ITV on 22nd March, he will be exploring the Southern Mediterranean, travelling to Spain and Italy but also to Corsica, Morocco and Jordan to show you the med isn’t just pasta and paella!

He is also a best-selling author and has sold over two million books worldwide. Titles include Ainsley’s Barbecue Bible, the Meals in Minutes franchise, Friends and Family and his most recent Ainsley’s Caribbean Kitchen.

Ainsley’s own-brand food products are a familiar sight not only in the UK’s supermarkets, but worldwide. Over fifteen years, the brand has gone from strength to strength and a packet of his flavoured cous-cous or one of his wide range of soups is a must on many a family shopping list.