Ainsley Harriott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ainsley Harriott
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Harriott in 2007
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| Born |
Ainsley Denzil Dubriel Harriott
28 February 1957 Paddington, London, England
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| Education | Westminster Kingsway College |
| Occupation | Chef, television presenter, entertainer |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Clare Fellows
(m. 1989; separated 2012) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents |
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Ainsley Denzil Dubriel Harriott (born 28 February 1957) is a famous English chef and television presenter. He is well-known for his fun cooking shows on the BBC, like Can't Cook, Won't Cook and Ready Steady Cook. He was also given an award called the MBE for his work.
Contents
Ainsley Harriott: Chef and TV Star
Early Life and Training
Ainsley Harriott was born in Paddington, London. His mother was Peppy Strudwick, and his father was Chester Harriott, a talented pianist and singer. Ainsley's family has Jamaican roots.
He went to Wandsworth Comprehensive School. After that, he studied at Westminster Kingsway College to become a chef. He started his cooking career as an apprentice at Verrey's restaurant in London.
His Career in TV and More
Ainsley Harriott is not just a great cook; he's also good at comedy and singing! Early in his career, he formed a music group called the Calypso Twins with his friend Paul Boross. They even released a popular song called "World Party" in the 1990s. The Calypso Twins performed at famous comedy clubs and on TV and radio shows.
Before becoming a TV star, Ainsley was the head chef at the Long Room of Lord's Cricket Ground, a very famous sports venue. He then started presenting a radio show called More Nosh, Less Dosh on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Becoming a TV Chef
Ainsley became a regular chef on the TV show Good Morning with Anne and Nick. Soon, he became the main presenter of Can't Cook, Won't Cook, where everyday people tried to cook. He also started as a chef on Ready Steady Cook and later became its main host in 2000.
He has hosted many other cooking shows, teaching people how to make delicious meals. Some of these include Ainsley's Barbecue Bible, Ainsley's Meals in Minutes, and Ainsley's Big Cook Out.
Ainsley even appeared in the sci-fi comedy show Red Dwarf in 1993. For the show's 10th anniversary, he hosted a special cooking show with the cast called Can't Smeg, Won't Smeg.
In 2000, Ainsley became popular in the United States with The Ainsley Harriott Show. He also hosted the US version of Ready Steady Cook, called Ready.. Set... Cook!. He has appeared on many other TV shows, including Something for the Weekend and GMTV with Lorraine. For several years, he was also in TV adverts for Fairy Liquid.
In 2008, Ainsley took part in the TV show Who Do You Think You Are?. On the show, he explored his family history and made some surprising discoveries about his ancestors.
In 2015, Ainsley showed off his dancing skills as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, a very popular dance competition. He was paired with professional dancer Natalie Lowe.
In 2020, Ainsley was awarded the MBE for his great work in broadcasting and cooking.
Writing Books
Ainsley Harriott is also a very successful author. He has written twelve best-selling cookbooks and many others linked to his TV shows. More than 2 million of his books have been sold all over the world!
Other Fun Projects
Ainsley was the President of the Television and Radio Industries Club (TRIC) from 2004 to 2005. He also has his own line of food products, including couscous, risotto, soups, and cereal bars.
He even acted in a stage show called The Rocky Horror Show as the Narrator in 2010. In 2022, Ainsley helped save his sister Jacqueline from drowning at the Chelsea Flower Show. In December 2023, he won the Christmas special of The Masked Singer as Partridge (in a Pear Tree).
Personal Life
Ainsley Harriott was married to Clare Fellows, who was a costume designer. They have two children together. They separated in 2012 but remain good friends. Ainsley is a big fan of the football team Arsenal F.C..
Filmography
| Year(s) | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Hale & Pace | Extra |
| 1990–1991 | Davro | Extra |
| 1992–1996 | Good Morning with Anne and Nick | Resident chef |
| 1993 | Red Dwarf | GELF Chief |
| 1994–2010 | Ready Steady Cook | Chef / presenter |
| 1995–2000 | Can't Cook, Won't Cook | Presenter |
| 1997 | Ainsley's Barbecue Bible | Presenter |
| 1998 | Ainsley's Meals in Minutes | Presenter |
| 1999 | Ainsley's Big Cook Out | Presenter |
| 2000–2001 | Gourmet Express | Presenter |
| 2000–2001 | Ready.. Set... Cook! | Presenter |
| 2000 | The Ainsley Harriott Show | Presenter |
| 2003 | The Mark Steel Lectures | Robert Boyle |
| 2005–2007 | City Hospital | Presenter |
| 2010, 2017 | Lorraine | Guest chef |
| 2013 | Great British Food Revival | Presenter |
| 2014 | Ainsley Eats the Streets | Presenter |
| 2015 | Ainsley Harriott's Street Food | Presenter |
| Strictly Come Dancing | Contestant; 12th place | |
| Len and Ainsley's Big Food Adventure | Presenter, with Len Goodman | |
| 2016 | The Best Dishes Ever | Narrator |
| 2018 | Costa Del Celebrity | Main role |
| 2018–present | My World Kitchen | Narrator |
| 2019 | Ainsley's Caribbean Kitchen | Presenter |
| Ainsley's Market Menu | Presenter | |
| 2020 | Ainsley’s Mediterranean Cookbook | Presenter |
| Ainsley's Food We Love | Presenter | |
| Ainsley's Festive Food We Love | Presenter | |
| Michael McIntyre's The Wheel | Himself | |
| 2021, 2022 | Ainsley's Good Mood Food | Presenter |
| 2021 | Ainsley’s Christmas Good Mood Food | Presenter |
| 2022 | Best of British By the Sea | Co-presenter, with Grace Dent |
| Ainsley's World Cup Flavours | Presenter | |
| 2023 | Ainsley's Fantastic Flavours | Presenter |
| Ainsley's Coronation Kitchen | Presenter | |
| The Masked Singer | Contestant / Partridge (in a Pear Tree) | |
| 2024 | Ainsley's Taste of Malta | Presenter |
| Ainsley’s National Trust Cook Off | Presenter |
See also
In Spanish: Ainsley Harriott para niños
