Ready Steady Cook
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ready Steady Cook | |
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| Genre | Cookery, show |
| Starring | Fern Britton, 1994-2000 Ainsley Harriott, 2000-present |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Endemol |
| Running time | 45 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | BBC Two |
| Original run | 1994 – present |
Ready Steady Cook is a BBC daytime TV cooking programme first aired in 1994. The programme was hosted by Fern Britton from 1994 until 2000 when celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott became the new host. The present duration of the programme is 45 minutes.
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[edit] Basic format
Two members of the public, or occasionally sporting or other celebrities, provide two celebrity chefs with a bag of ingredients they have bought, usually to a set budget of £5. The two teams are designated "red tomato" and "green pepper". Occasionally the permitted budget is increased: a so-called Bistro Bag allows for ingredients of up to £7.50, while the Gourmet Bag may have a value of up to £10. It is implied that the chefs have no prior knowledge of the ingredients they will have to prepare, however it is unknown whether this is the case or not.
[edit] The Main Course
The chefs proceed to make several dishes out of the said ingredients (and a generously stocked kitchen containing basic ingredients and spices) in 20 minutes, with the help of the contestants and the programme host. As the contestants taste the prepared dishes, the host asks the chef some questions about the food. Prior to the September 2006 programme season it was customary for the chefs to name their dishes, which usually included a pun. However, no name is given to the dishes as of September 2006.
The creations are voted on by the studio audience, who hold up a card showing either a red tomato or green pepper to represent each of the teams. The winner receives a cash prize of £100, which celebrity guests donate to charity (an example the regular guests will sometimes follow). The runner-up receives a hamper which includes a variety of items, such as a set of knives, pasta and sauces, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
[edit] Quickie bag
The quickie bag section of the show then follows. This was introduced in 2000, the same year Ainsley Harriott became presenter, extending the programme to 45 minutes. The contents of the quickie bag are decided on by the series producer and a home economist. Their decision is based on produce that is currently in season or unusual ingredients that haven't featured on the show recently.
The two chefs each get a chance to describe what they would cook using the bag of ingredients. The audience members vote for which chef they would most like to see cook. The winner then has 10 minutes to prepare the described dishes, with the help of the other chef and the host. The hectic preparation of the chosen chef's suggested dishes often includes a slight element of chaos and ad-libbing along the way. A viewer's question relating to a cooking problem is usually put to the chefs, further adding to the pressure upon them to complete their dishes in the time allowed.
[edit] Scheduling
Each programme lasts forty five minutes and the show is aired five times per week on the BBC Two channel (usually from 1630-1715), and repeats are often shown on UKTV Food.
[edit] Current Ready Steady Cook Chefs
- Gino D'Acampo
- Garrey Dawson
- Alex Mackay
- James Martin
- Nick Nairn
- Paul Rankin
- James Tanner
- Tony Tobin
- Brian Turner
- Phil Vickery
- Lesley Waters
[edit] See also
- Ready.. Set... Cook! - US Television series
- Ready Steady Cook - Australian Television series
