To be known simply by one’s first name is a privilege only a rare few enjoy, but ‘Ainsley’ is one of those people. From his early days at Westminster College, his passion for all things culinary has taken him around the world, brought him into our homes through our television screens and onto our bookshelves with volume after volume of interesting and yet simple recipes.

Restaurants and hotels include The Hilton, Brown’s, The Dorchester, The Westbury, Café Pelican and Quaglino’s. However, Ainsley Harriott is most famous for Ready Steady Cook, taking over as host in 2000, giving the show a new lease of life. Can’t Cook, Won’t Cook directly appealed to even the most reluctant chefs who then went out and bought the accompanying recipe book too!

Ainsley has run his own catering company: “One day I’d be creating posh nosh for Elton John; the next I’d be making steak and kidney pud for Princess Margaret.”