Ready Steady Cook

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Ready Steady Cook
Readysteadycookuk2004.jpg
Host Ainsley Harriott conversing with the chefs Lesley Waters and James Tanner, during a recording session on 15 August 2004
Format Cookery game show
Presented by Fern Britton (1994–2000)
Ainsley Harriott (2000–2010)
Theme music composer Ken Bolam
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of series 21 (Original series)
?? (Celebrity specials)
No. of episodes 2000+ (Original series)
102 (Celebrity specials)
Production
Executive producer(s) Linda Clifford
Running time 30 mins (1994–2000)
45 Mins (2000–2010)
Production company(s) Endemol
Broadcast
Original channel BBC Two (Original series)
BBC One (Celebrity specials)
Picture format 4:3 (1994–2000)
16:9 (2001–2010)
Original airing Original series: 24 October 1994 (1994-10-24) – 2 February 2010 (2010-02-02)
Celebrity specials: 11 July 1997 (1997-07-11) – 3 January 2003 (2003-01-03)
Chronology
Related shows MasterChef
(1990–2001, 2005–present)

Ready Steady Cook was a BBC daytime TV cooking programme; it debuted on 24 October 1994 and the last edition was broadcast on the 2 February 2010. The programme was hosted by Fern Britton from 1994 until 2000 when celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott became the new host. The duration of the programme was 45 minutes.

The programme was originally recorded in the small (and now closed) Fountain TV studios in New Malden it then moved to the Capital Studios in Wandsworth. After Capital Studios closed down in mid-2008, recording was moved to Studio TC2 in the BBC Television Centre, London.

On 5 November 2010, it was announced that the show would not return for a new series. No new episodes will be produced, but repeats of the show will continue to be broadcast.

Contents

[edit] Ingredients

There used to be two members of the public, but now it is always 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" (referred to as "red kitchen" and "green kitchen" after the August 2007 revamp, though the tomato and pepper motifs still feature on the guests' aprons, and in the show's logo). 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. On some occasions, they have used a £3.50 Budget Bag. Also on a few shows, a Lucky Dip Bag was used. It contained ten food items. The chef with closed eyes picked out half of the items at the beginning. At the halfway mark, the chef randomly picked a sixth item. The sixth item could help or hinder the chef. The chefs have no prior knowledge of the ingredients they will have to prepare. Another format used was used on occasion where both kitchens were given the same ingredients, and who had first pick was chosen by a red and green dice.

In more recent times, there have been more celebrity guests than members of the general public.

[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. Naming of the dishes continues to take place.

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 received a cash prize of £100, which celebrity guests donate to charity (an example the regular guests will sometimes follow) but this was changed to a plate towards the end of the series. The runner-up used to receive a hamper which included a variety of items, such as a set of knives, pasta and sauces, olive oil and balsamic vinegar but now receives a Ready Steady Cook mug due to budget restraints.

[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 from 30 to 45 minutes. The contents of the quickie bag used to be decided on by the series producer and a home economist. Their decision was based on produce that is currently in season or unusual ingredients that haven't featured on the show recently.

In late August 2007, the quickie bag changed format with the bag being brought in by an organisation, company or public member who challenge the chefs to prepare the dish.

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] Featured chefs

[edit] Variations on the Format

Classic Bag - The original format where the contestant brings in a bag of ingredients costing up to £5.

Budget Bag - Similar to the Classic Bag but the ingredients may only cost up to £3.50.

Bistro Bag - Ingredients worth £7.50.

Gourmet Bag - Worth £10.

Doubling Up Bag - Both contestants bring in the same ingredients. The host uses a coin or dice with a Green Pepper and Red Tomato on to decide which chef will decide what to do with the ingredients first. The other chef must do something different.

Forfeit Bag - The chefs must have a card at random with a forfeit on which prohibits their use of a certain storecupboard ingredient such as No Fresh Herbs, No Spices, No Citrus or No Wine.

Gamble Bag - The chefs are presented with three mystery ingredients and are given the opportunity to swap one of their ingredients with one of these mystery ingredients. They do not have to swap but if they do, they cannot change their minds once the new ingredient is revealed.

Lucky Dip - The Chefs are presented with a bag of ten items from which they must pick five at random. After 10 minutes have passed, they then choose a sixth ingredient, which depending on what the chef has started cooking, can help or hinder them.

[edit] Transmissions

Series No. Total Episodes Date Started Date Finished
1 23 24 October 1994 23 December 1994
2 69 9 January 1995 2 June 1995
3 115 16 October 1995 17 June 1997
4 142 2 September 1996 19 June 1997
5 136 20 August 1997 15 June 1998
6 109 7 September 1998 12 July 1999
7 108 6 September 1999 30 May 2000
8 65 14 August 2000 5 January 2001
9 65 22 January 2001 30 July 2001
10 55 3 September 2001 21 December 2001
11 47 21 January 2002 28 May 2002
12 65 12 August 2002 20 December 2002
13 43 13 January 2003 6 May 2003
14 65 18 August 2003 23 December 2003
15 59 2 January 2004 26 May 2004
16 123 31 August 2004 10 May 2005
17 120 5 September 2005 10 May 2006
18 123 18 September 2006 20 April 2007
19 120 27 August 2007 16 July 2008
20 48 6 October 2008 15 June 2009
21 35 24 November 2009 2 February 2010

*Specials

  • Children in Need: 20 November 1998
  • Happy Birthday: 2 editions: 12-13 February 2002
  • Daytime Celebrity Christmas Specials: 7 editions: 27 December 2002 - 3 January 2003
  • Daytime Celebrity Christmas Specials: 5 editions: 26 December 2003 - 31 December 2003
  • 10th Birthday Specials: 5 editions: 25 October 2004 -29 October 2004
  • Christmas Special: 23 December 2004
  • Sports Relief Special: 12 July 2006
  • Celebrity Series

[edit] See also

[edit] Books

[edit] References


[edit] External links

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