Ainsley Harriott facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ainsley Harriott

Harriott in 2007
Born	Ainsley Denzil Dubriel Harriott (1957-02-28) 28 February 1957 (age 68) Paddington, London, England
Education	Westminster Kingsway College
Spouse	Clare Fellows ​ ​ (m. 1989; separated 2012)​
Television show(s) Can't Cook, Won't Cook Ready Steady Cook Red Dwarf The Ainsley Harriott Show

Ainsley Denzil Dubriel Harriott (born February 28, 1957) is a famous English chef and TV presenter. He is well-known for hosting fun cooking shows on the BBC. These include Can't Cook, Won't Cook and Ready Steady Cook. He was also given an MBE award for his work.

Early Life and Training

Ainsley Harriott was born in Paddington, London. His mother was Peppy Strudwick. His father was Chester Harriott, a talented pianist and singer. Ainsley has Jamaican family roots.

He went to Wandsworth Comprehensive School. After that, he studied at Westminster Kingsway College. He then started his cooking career. He worked as an apprentice at Verrey's restaurant in London. Later, he became a commis chef.

Ainsley's Career Journey

Ainsley is not just a great cook. He is also good at comedy and singing. He formed a music group called the Calypso Twins. His friend Paul Boross was also in the group. They even released a popular song called "World Party" in the early 1990s.

The Calypso Twins often performed at famous comedy clubs. They also performed in America. Ainsley later became the head chef at the Long Room of Lord's Cricket Ground. He started presenting a radio show called More Nosh, Less Dosh. He also appeared as an extra in the TV show Hale and Pace.

TV Shows and Cooking

Harriott on the set of Ready Steady Cook, August 2004

Ainsley became a regular chef on Good Morning with Anne and Nick. He then became the main host of Can't Cook, Won't Cook. He also hosted Ready Steady Cook starting in 2000. Both shows featured everyday people cooking.

He also presented many other cooking shows. These included Ainsley's Barbecue Bible and Ainsley's Meals in Minutes. He also hosted Ainsley's Big Cook Out and Ainsley's Gourmet Express.

In 1993, Ainsley acted in the sci-fi comedy show Red Dwarf. He played a GELF chief. For the show's 10th anniversary, he hosted a special cooking show. It was called Can't Smeg, Won't Smeg. The cast of Red Dwarf cooked while staying in character.

In 2000, Ainsley started his own show in the United States. It was called The Ainsley Harriott Show. He also hosted the American version of Ready Steady Cook. This show was called Ready... Set... Cook!. Ainsley also appeared on GMTV with Lorraine in 2010. He shared many cooking recipes there. From 2002 to 2007, he was in TV adverts for Fairy Liquid.

In 2008, Ainsley took part in Who Do You Think You Are?. This show helps people learn about their family history. He found out interesting facts about his ancestors. He learned that his great-grandfather was a soldier. He also discovered that some of his very old relatives were slaveowners.

Ainsley appeared in the Christmas special of My Family in 2010. In 2015, he was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. He danced with professional dancer Natalie Lowe. He finished in twelfth place.

Ainsley Harriott received an award in 2020. He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). This was for his great work in TV and cooking.

Writing Cookbooks

Harriott at the Taste of London, June 2010

Ainsley is a very successful author. He has written twelve cookbooks. He has also written many books linked to his TV shows. He has sold over 2 million books around the world. These include books translated into other languages.

Other Projects

Ainsley was the President of the Television and Radio Industries Club (TRIC). This was from 2004 to 2005. He also hosted their awards ceremony. He has his own line of food products. These include couscous, risotto, soups, and cereal bars.

In 2010, Ainsley acted in the musical The Rocky Horror Show. He played the Narrator in several theaters. He also made a guest appearance in a BBC radio comedy show in 2006.

In 2022, Ainsley helped save his sister Jacqueline. She fell into a water feature at the Chelsea Flower Show. Ainsley, along with TV presenter Nick Knowles, helped her.

In December 2023, Ainsley won the Christmas special of The Masked Singer. He was disguised as Partridge (in a Pear Tree).

Personal Life

Ainsley Harriott was married to Clare Fellows. She 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..

Ainsley's TV Appearances

See also

In Spanish: Ainsley Harriott para niños