Biography

Ainsley’s Story

After almost three decades as one of the country’s favourite TV chefs, Ainsley Harriott has become something of a national institution. In 2020 he was delighted to be awarded an MBE for his services to broadcasting and the culinary arts. 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, Ainsley Harriott’s Street Food, Len and Ainsley’s Big Food Adventure, the hit ITV series Ainsley’s Caribbean Kitchen and Ainsley’s Mediterranean Cookbook. Ainsley has also hosted The Ainsley Harriott Show and Ready Set Cook for the US, Off The Menu for South Africa Television and in 2019 Ainsley’s Market Menu for SBS Australia.

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, Ainsley’s Caribbean Kitchen and his latest Ainsley’s Mediterranean Cookbook.

Ainsley has taken the amazing flavours he’s discovered on his world travels and used them to create great-tasting food for busy people. Over the past 15 years the Ainsley Harriott food range has gone from strength to strength and is a familiar sight in UK and Australian supermarkets – bringing world flavour to your dinner table with quick, easy and delicious meal solutions. Take a look at the Ainsley Foods products and recipe pages for some tasty mealtime inspiration.

View Ainsley Foods