Ainsley Harriott Quotes

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Ainsley Harriott

Profession : Chef

Birth : February 28, 1957

It's a brilliant place to be. It's rewarding. Gardens are so rewarding.

Ainsley Harriott

In our house caring about food is pretty instinctive.

Ainsley Harriott

In my 20s, I was body surfing in Spain and the current dragged me out. I was waving at my friends who thought I was messing about, but I was drowning. I managed to swim in on my back but it scarred me.

Ainsley Harriott

People know that when they watch an Ainsley programme or get an Ainsley book it's going to be something that is approachable and something that is achievable and ultimately something that is rewarding.

Ainsley Harriott

The great thing about coming to Melbourne is that people talk about Sydney being the food capital but Melbourne is a lot more; it has that residential feel, a feeling of homeliness. When you go to restaurants, it's known as a creative, artistic city. That's what you get with the food.

Ainsley Harriott

People who drop litter really stress me out. I have been known to chase after people and say, 'Sorry, but you've forgotten something,' and then hand it back to them.

Ainsley Harriott

Mum and Dad used to do a lot of entertaining. We had quite a nice house, so everybody descended on us at Christmas - aunts and uncles, who weren't even aunts and uncles.

Ainsley Harriott

It's important to be dedicated and enthusiastic when you're starting a career. It might take a long time to get established and the money won't flow in straight away.

Ainsley Harriott

I like introducing people to new dishes and new flavors.

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 feel guilty.

Ainsley Harriott

You can eat interestingly without having to spend a lot of money, with a little bit of preparation.

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

Everywhere I have gone in the world, even though we don't speak the same language, food is the same language.

Ainsley Harriott

I studied music at school and played the recorder. Later in life music was a great way of supplementing my income because I was paid really badly as a young chef. Luckily an old friend - we did music at school together - and I formed a duo, The Calypso Beat, which later became the Calypso Twins.

Ainsley Harriott

If you want to go way way back, then I'm Scottish. My great great grandfather was Scottish, James Gordon Harriott, and a white Scotsman too.

Ainsley Harriott

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

Ainsley Harriott

Think about your first kiss - if you did it and it was bloody awful, you might not do it again. It's the same with cooking - you start off gradually, you get your confidence, and you build on that. Don't be too adventurous to start with - learn how to cook one dish well.

Ainsley Harriott

I was one of those that didn't so much go to the discos or the clubs to drink. I went with a towel around my neck. I was ready to sweat!

Ainsley Harriott

With me, you know what you get - approachable food.

Ainsley Harriott

I think what balances me out more than anything is long walks and eating well.

Ainsley Harriott