Ainsley Harriott

Whether it's mixing the ingredients for a sensational Salsa dish on a TV cookery show or whipping up an equally entertaining Salsa dance on Strictly Come Dancing, one thing is certain with Ainsley - he always spices up proceedings and gives audiences that extra zing!

Though never one to rest on his laurels, Ainsley is becoming something of a national institution after serving up for more than two decades as one of the Britain's favourite TV chefs. He's certainly one of only a handful of TV personalities whose enduring popularity means they are instantly recognized for their stylistic criteria - and with Ainsley that means fresh, fun, accessible cuisine. Ainsley’s dishes reflect the needs of a modern generation of hard-working home cooks; his recipes are diverse and delicious but easy to prepare and quick to cook.

So, where and when did Ainsley first make his mark on the chopping board of life? In the early 1990s, when he was Head Chef of the Long Room at Lord’s Cricket Ground, BBC Radio asked him to present More Nosh, Less Dosh for Radio 5 Live. A call from BBC TV's Pebble Mill studios soon followed and Ainsley moved in to become resident chef on BBC TV’s Good Morning with Anne And Nick.

In 1994, Ainsley was invited to join a new series, one which went on to redefine cookery television - Ready Steady Cook. Almost two thousand episodes were recorded over twenty one series, making it one of the longest running food shows ever. Ainsley moved from chef to host in 2000, regularly recording over a hundred episodes a year! The show became a hit for the BBC, not only in the UK, but in many countries around the world. Ainsley's follow up show Can’t Cook Won’t Cook was also hugely popular, running for several series during the 1990s.

Other TV series Ainsley has presented include Ainsley’s Barbeque Bible, Ainsley’s Meals In Minutes, Ainsley’s Big Cook Out, Gourmet Express, 50 Things To Eat Before You Die, and Take On The Takeaway. Entertainment and factual TV programmes include City Hospital, The Hidden Camera Show and Party of a Lifetime.

In September 2015, Ainsley took part in the thirteenth series of BBC1's hit show Strictly Come Dancing, partnering professional dancer Natalie Lowe. Though he was voted off the show by the end of September, he certainly entertained audiences (and the judges!) with his amazing off-the-wall dancing skills!

Alongside his TV career, Ainsley has written a number of highly successful books to accompany his television series, including Ainsley’s Barbecue Bible and Ainsley’s Gourmet Express. In fact, he’s become a number one best seller, having sold more than two million cookery books worldwide, with co-editions in Dutch, Danish, Slovenian, Romanian (and American!) - starting in 1996 with In The Kitchen, followed in 1998 with Meals in Minutes. Ainsley also markets his own range of supermarket foods, including couscous, risotto, soups and cereal bars.

Ainsley is a superb Awards Host and Speaker, with an instantly warm, friendly and charming personality. As one client told us "I’ve done a lot of these events over the years and Ainsley was by far the best celeb we have ever had. The feedback we have received already is outstanding." To book Ainsley, please contact Prime Performers using the online booking enquiry form or alternatively call us on 020 3500 3331.