Ainsley Harriott
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
Ainsley Harriott

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

Ainsley Harriott
Ainsley Harriott

To be honest, 'Ready Steady Cook' was a great opportunity, but I did compromise myself. I was stood there quizzing chefs on what they were doing when I knew exactly what they were doing and why.

Ainsley Harriott
Ainsley Harriott

My mum was the most wonderful cook and our house was always full of delicious food and interesting people. I remember dad entertaining the likes of Des O'Connor and Bruce Forsyth. But what really shaped my childhood were the amazing Jamaican dishes that mum produced so effortlessly.

Ainsley Harriott
Ainsley Harriott

I used to quite like the idea of zooming in and out of traffic quite quickly, but when you get a decent car and kids in the back, you become more courteous.

Ainsley Harriott
Ainsley Harriott

I like a bit of chocolate as much as the next person, but cheese is a complete world on its own. The sheer variety is staggering and there's always going to be a cheese to tickle your taste buds.

Ainsley Harriott
Ainsley Harriott

My brother, a businessman, is the main cook in his home and my sister teaches cookery. Good food and good music were the mainstays of my childhood.

Ainsley Harriott
Ainsley Harriott

A typical Sunday meal will be brunch at 11 A.M. I'll probably do muffins, proper scrambled eggs and sweetcorn fritters, which the kids love. Kedgeree's another thing I like, and if any of the West Indian family are over, definitely ackee and saltfish.

Ainsley Harriott
Ainsley Harriott

Bread's so important for me, it makes such a difference. I like it with a lovely bit of cheese on it, sometimes just with butter, or with some fresh soup.

Ainsley Harriott
Ainsley Harriott

I don't iron my underwear and socks, but I like things to be organised.

Ainsley Harriott
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 so it wasn't really an option. But that has never dimmed my love of the game, which started in childhood when I was lucky enough to be a ball boy at Wimbledon.

Ainsley Harriott
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
Ainsley Harriott

When you're at the top you have to know how to delegate without putting the fear of God into people.

Ainsley Harriott
Ainsley Harriott

So I've got mates I've known since I was five years old. Their children know my children. There's something really lovely about it. When you're an immigrant - my parents were immigrants, their brothers and sisters lived all over the world, Florida, Jamaica, some in Europe - it's a grounding thing. That community is critical.

Ainsley Harriott
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
Ainsley Harriott

Christmas for me means starting the day with ackee and saltfish, and cornbread muffins.

Ainsley Harriott
Ainsley Harriott

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

Ainsley Harriott
Ainsley Harriott

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

Ainsley Harriott
Ainsley Harriott

The decline of the Sunday meal is a major concern because it means that family values are being forgotten. Once that creeps into mealtimes, it will begin creeping into other areas.

Ainsley Harriott
Ainsley Harriott

I've lost both my parents and I don't think you ever get used to it.