Ainsley Harriott

People always think I'm this zany character. But I think I just see the funny side of life, I don't see the…

— Ainsley Harriott

I do feel that over the years from watching programmes that tell people 'you're not good enough,' I just don't like it.

— Ainsley Harriott

When it comes to cooking, it's a skill you learn and develop.

— Ainsley Harriott

It's my nature to be happy, and food is something I'm passionate about.

— Ainsley Harriott

My Mum was the main reason why I became a chef. She influenced all of my family to feel free in the…

— Ainsley Harriott

“Yeah-eh bwa”

— Ainsley Harriott

“Give that meat a good ol' rub”

— Ainsley Harriott

There have been times when, as a chef, I've bawled at staff because something's not quite right. But later I'd reflect and…

— Ainsley Harriott

I think anything is good that introduces food to people and brings food to people.

— Ainsley Harriott

I was quite shy. I found my way, I suppose, with food. It's a confidence builder. How else in life do you…

— Ainsley Harriott

I very much consider myself British.

— Ainsley Harriott

I certainly love a boogie and once the music starts I'm usually one of the first out there on the dance floor.…

— Ainsley Harriott

My mum wanted me to be a doctor because she worked in nursing. So she was quite disappointed when I came back…

— Ainsley Harriott

When I worked as a chef I had a happy brigade. I didn't run it with a rod of iron because I…

— Ainsley Harriott

What I've tried to do over the years is to kind of open the door to say 'It's a meal, it's OK,…

— Ainsley Harriott

I was a bit of a show-off at school. I told jokes a lot because I wanted to have friends.

— Ainsley Harriott

I want to have a relationship with my kids. I want them to be free with me, to have a good relationship.

— Ainsley Harriott

Food is an integral part of Caribbean life - it's diverse just like Caribbean culture, with flavour influences from India, Europe, China,…

— Ainsley Harriott

Cooking is about love, really, and cooking for your children is all about caring for them, building relationships.

— Ainsley Harriott

Although my family is originally from Jamaica, I grew up in a diverse community in south London. As my parents were immigrants…

— Ainsley Harriott

The decline of the Sunday meal is a major concern because it means that family values are being forgotten. Once that creeps…

— Ainsley Harriott

Think about your first kiss - if you did it and it was bloody awful, you might not do it again. It's…

— Ainsley Harriott

I studied music at school and played the recorder. Later in life music was a great way of supplementing my income because…

— Ainsley Harriott

We've become lazy and a bit spoilt and we want our food quickly and easily.

— Ainsley Harriott

If I hadn't become a chef I would have loved to be a top tennis player, although I was never good enough…

— Ainsley Harriott