Gordon Ramsay: Cookalong Live
| Gordon Ramsay: Cookalong Live | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Cooking show |
| Starring | Gordon Ramsay |
| Opening theme | "Pump It" by The Black Eyed Peas |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of series | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Production | |
| Production location | Three Mills Studios |
| Running time | 60 Mins |
| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 4 |
| Release | 24 October – 12 December 2008, 25 December 2011, 25 December 2012 |
Gordon Ramsay: Cookalong Live is a British cooking show starring Gordon Ramsay. Originally conceived as a one-off episode, Channel 4 later commissioned a full series for late 2008. A Christmas special aired on 25 December 2011 and a second on 25 December 2012.
Background
The original episode was part of The Big Food Fight, a January 2008 promotion featuring Channel 4 shows starring Jamie Oliver, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Gordon Ramsay.[1] On live television, Ramsay invited the entire nation to prepare a three course meal for four with him in just under 60 minutes[2] Ingredients and instructions were available on the official site to help viewers prepare for the event at home. Often, he would teach viewers basic cooking techniques, such as chopping an onion or boning a chicken.
The show was expanded to a seven episode series for autumn 2008,[3] and began on 24 October 2008.[4] Each week Ramsay prepared a themed menu ranging from curry night to a 1970s theme, and even participated in a challenge with that episode's celebrity guest in cooking a dish chosen by the celebrity.
Episodes
| Episode Number | Air Date | Guest Sous Chef | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Patsy Kensit | Warm goat's cheese salad, Salmon en croute, Rhubarb and ginger crumble | |
| 2 | Johnny Vegas | Theme: credit crunch-proof meal for under a tenner | |
| 3 | Amanda Holden | Angel Hair Pasta with Crab, Duck Breast with a Port and Cherry Sauce, Quick Tiramisu | |
| 4 | Kirstie Allsopp | Theme: 70's Night | |
| 5 | James Corden | Theme: Chinese - sour prawn soup, stir-fried beef with peppers and egg noodles, hot bananas | |
| 6 | Alan Carr | Theme: Curry Night | |
| 7 | Gok Wan | Theme: Christmas Dinner; Torchwood's Naoko Mori makes an appearance as one of the guests Gok is cooking for. |
Christmas Specials
A Christmas special aired live on 25 December 2011. It saw Ramsay making a Christmas lunch at his own home in Battersea. Guests included David Hasselhoff, Russell Grant, Jermain Defoe and Dynamo.[5] Another special was aired the following Christmas.[6]
2011 Menu:
Starter
Smoked salmon parcels with fennel and apple salad
Main course
Roast turkey with herb butter
Chestnut, pistachio, sage, sausage and apricot stuffing
Apple and sherry gravy
Spiced and honey glazed carrots and parsnips
Brussels sprouts with bacon and chilli
Perfect goose fat roast potatoes
Bacon wrapped cocktail sausages
Dessert
Christmas trifle
International versions
An American version of the same name, also hosted by Ramsay, aired as a one-hour special on the Fox network on 15 December 2009.[7] Guests included Whoopi Goldberg, Cedric the Entertainer, Alyson Hannigan and LeAnn Rimes, with home cooks featured live via Skype. The three course meal shown on the U.S. premiere was identical to episode 3 of the original British series.
In September 2008, an Australian version was announced for airing on the Nine Network, also hosted by Ramsay.[8] However it never eventuated.
Optomen and One Potato Two Potato licensed the Cookalong format for Swedish television. Tina's Cookalong starring Tina Nordström premiered in September 2009, with Ramsay appearing as a guest.[9]
A Spanish version titled Cocina conmigo was announced to premier on Nova on 24 February 2013, hosted by Rodrigo de la Calle.[10]
A Bulgarian version hosted by Silvena Rowe has aired on bTV since September 2013.
References
- ^ "The Big Food Fight (official site)". Retrieved 1 August 2008.
- ^ "Gordon Ramsay Cookalong Live". The Mirror. 18 January 2008.
- ^ Schreiber, Dominic (24 July 2008). "Ramsay launches production venture". Variety.
- ^ "Posh to appear on Ramsay Cookalong". Marie Claire. 15 October 2008.
- ^ "Gordon's Christmas Cookalong Live Gives Channel 4 A Festive Ratings Treat". Optomen. 27 December 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
- ^ http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/ratings/eastenders-takes-christmas-crown/5050242.article
- ^ Dowling, Amber (6 August 2009). "Free Ramsay cooking class". TV Guide. Retrieved 26 August 2008.
- ^ Knox, David (15 September 2008). "Ramsay to Cookalong Live for Nine". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 18 September 2008.
- ^ "08/09/09 Cookalong Sweden Proves A Ratings Smash". Optomen. 8 September 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2008.
- ^ "Nova emitirá en la sobremesa del domingo 'Cocina conmigo' (Rodrigo de la Calle), la versión de 'Cookalong Live'". FormulaTV.com. 13 February 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2013.