Ainsley Harriott Reveals That Ready Steady Cook Could Make His Return

The term "larger than life" is often used to describe Ainsley Harriott because, in all honesty, there are few ways to summarize it.

Not only does the TV head surpbad us at a height of 6 feet, but he has the kind of infectious energy and smile of the Cheshire cat that instantly warm you up.

In a few minutes, we argue as if we have known each other for years.

As expected, he is still excited about the filming of his ITV television series, Ainsley's Caribbean Kitchen, earlier this year, a swirling culinary tour of the tropical islands inspired by his legacy (both of his parents are from Jamaica).

And he is already in talks to follow him with another travel book on the theme of exotic food.

It's not a bad way to make a living.

"You are right and I loved it.

"It was a dream and it's great to start thinking about doing something else.

"I intend to go to a warm place when it's cold here.

"I'll say to myself," Goodbye! "He said giving a small enough sign before bursting into laughter.

First, though, Ainsley is back in Blighty to promote his new Caribbean Kitchen cookbook, which contains all the recipes featured in the TV show.

He hopes this will show everyone that Caribbean cuisine is more than chicken, rice and jerk peas.

"Of course, these dishes are incredibly tasty, and I've always introduced them.

"But there is so much more than that.

"It's like saying that food in Britain is a kind of fondue or shepherd's pie," he says.

"All the islands offer something different, they are a melting pot of identities.

"And it's their individual personalities that influence the kitchen."

His book is full of easy-to-prepare and cheerful food, and Ainsley says it's all he likes.

Food should be accessible and its goal is never to make people blind with science or create ridiculous works of art worthy of Instagram.

"People can relate to me as a cook.

"I've always tried to simplify the food.

Sometimes, when it sounds complex, it's confusing and you can not be bothered to do it yourself.

& # 39; You look at things like MasterChef and think: "Oh, I can never do that!"

"But I do not think food has to be pretty pictures on plates.

"I like this casual and wild style, and this is reflected in my book."

He says that's how he approaches food when he's home, at home, in Wandsworth, South West London.

He loves the dishes that can be put in the middle of the table.

"Ainsley is divorced. He separated from his 23-year-old wife Clare Fellows in 2012 and has two adult children – Jimmy, 27, and Maddie, 24. organize dinners.

When he is alone, however, he is inclined to a naughty dinner on his lap.

"I like beans on toast with a poached egg on top. And sometimes, I order pizzas and have them on my lap while watching a game of Arsenal, "said the chef, who has always been a fan of the Gunners.

"I like things like that – I'm normal.

"It's when we can find time to cook, but we have to keep it simple."

It was this simple approach to food that was at the heart of Ainsley's long-running Ready Steady Cook, which he ran from 1994 to 2010 on BBC2.

It was deleted after 21 series and nine celebrities, but it is currently in discussion with the former resident chef of the series, James Martin, to try to revive it.

"James and I discussed it recently.

"He is at the forefront of production and says people are talking about it," said Ainsley.

'Fingers crossed, they go there.

"There is nothing else on television.

"We have things like Sunday brunch, where the food is already half done, but we always took the products and cooked them from the beginning, giving everyone an idea of ​​when and what was possible.

"Programs like this one have allowed us to know more about food, to know a little more about it."

It's Ready Steady Cook that made Ainsley famous. He then starred in Can not Cook, Will Not Cook, Something For The Weekend and Ainsley's Big Cook Out.

But becoming a chef was not his first career choice.

"My late mother wanted me to be a doctor, but I was never brilliant enough.

"The academic community was not really my thing," he says.

"I have always dreamed of being a tennis player and I still play today. This is one of the ways I try to stay in shape.

"It would have been nice to play tennis.

"And I imagined being a kind of performer, because my dad was a performance artist – he was a pianist.

"I thought I'd be good on stage."

Over the years, Ainsley has played in roles such as Red Dwarf and My Family, and he has fulfilled his dream of becoming an interpreter when he participated in Strictly Come Dancing in 2015.

He finished in 12th place – something he's always a little upset about.

"I always considered myself a good dancer, and then realized that the ballroom and Latin were disciplines.

"It was a different thing," he says.

"But I loved it and felt that I had more to offer when I was eliminated.

"I thought we were going to go, but the judges said it was not enough.

"But it's still the way.

"How many times have you looked at Strict and thought:" It's a great dance "and then they were rejected.

"I took it with a pinch of salt."

The biggest fans of Ainsley, he revealed, are his children.

They watch most of his shows and send him messages of support, as well as tips on using social media to promote his projects.

But he still has his moments of "embarrbading dad".

"I am a sensitive soul and I could cry during an advertisement.

"If something happens to me, I'll go.

"And my daughter Maddie always throws me cushions when we watch TV because I'm sobbing so hard.

"She'll say," Stop dad, shut up! "

Ainsley is still one of the most recognizable faces of British television, but he always says he is surprised to be spotted in far away places.

He was recently in Australia, in Port Campbell National Park, Victoria, to shoot a series called Ainsley's Market Kitchen. He was approached by a large number of Japanese tourists who wanted to make selfies with him.

And fans regularly talk to him in inappropriate places.

"People start conversations with me in the bathroom – and they want to shake my hand!

& # 39; c & rsquo; is very strange.

"I'm like," No, give me a little privacy, please, "he laughs.

With so many projects underway, we will see it a lot in the months to come.

Ainsley's Market Kitchen, which has already been released in Oz, will debut in the UK later this year, and has just released a new series from CBBC's My World Kitchen hit series.

"It's a phenomenal success.

"The kids invite their friends from school to home and prepare something that celebrates their heritage.

"This is our third series and we had a BAFTA nomination, which is great.

It's so beautiful as a show, he says.

"I'm doing great things right now and I feel very lucky."

How do you spend your Sunday?

■ What is your favorite kind of Sunday?

Go to Emirates Stadium with my kids and see Arsenal win!

■ Hangover or fresh as a daisy?

I do not drink much, so I probably will not get a hangover.

That said, when shooting my Caribbean Kitchen series earlier this year, I became a little drunk.

I "experimented" with the traditional drinks of the islands and I went to bed a few nights with a smile, that's for sure.

■ On the road with the lark or enjoy a lazy morning?

I like to spend the day if possible.

I am a night owl, so a good morning is beautiful.

But there is no chance that will happen when you shoot!

■ A pub lunch or a homemade roast?

Both. It's nice to go out and relax.

On the other hand, you can not beat a delicious home cooking.

■ Movie night at the cinema or box at home?

Again, I'm happy to do both.

I'm some TV series – recently, I loved Killing Eve and Bodyguard – but I also watch catch-up movies to be able to go out at night.

– Ainsley's Caribbean Kitchen, published by Ebury Press, £ 20, has just been released. Click HERE to buy.