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Ready Steady Cook

BBC daytime TV cooking game show

Summary

BBC daytime TV cooking game show

FieldValue
imageBBC Ready Steady Cook.png
captionThird logo, used from 2004 to 2010
genreCooking show
presenter{{plainlist
countryUnited Kingdom
languageEnglish
num_series32
num_episodes1,888
locationFountain Studios, New Malden (1994–1999)
Capital Studios (1999–2008)
BBC Television Centre (2008–2010)
BBC Pacific Quay (2020–2021)
runtime30 minutes (1994–2000)
45 minutes (2000–2010, 2020–2021)
companyBazal Productions (1994–2001)
Endemol UK Productions (2002–2006)
Cheetah Television (2006–2010)
Remarkable Entertainment (2020–2021)
networkBBC Two
BBC One (1997–2003)
first_aired
last_aired
network2BBC One
first_aired2
last_aired2
relatedMasterChef
  • Fern Britton (1994–2000)
  • Ainsley Harriott (2000–2010)
  • Rylan Clark (2020–2021) Capital Studios (1999–2008) BBC Television Centre (2008–2010) BBC Pacific Quay (2020–2021) 45 minutes (2000–2010, 2020–2021) Endemol UK Productions (2002–2006) Cheetah Television (2006–2010) Remarkable Entertainment (2020–2021) BBC One (1997–2003)

Ready Steady Cook is a BBC daytime TV cooking game show. It debuted on 24 October 1994 and the last original edition was broadcast on 2 February 2010. The programme was hosted by Fern Britton from 1994 until 2000 when celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott became the new host. In August 2000, when Harriott took over, the duration of the programme was extended from 30 to 45 minutes.

On 2 September 2019, it was confirmed that Rylan Clark would host a revived daytime series on BBC One in 2020. On 7 September 2021, it was announced by the BBC that the series ended after two series.

Format

Ingredients

Two members of the public provided two celebrity chefs with a bag of ingredients they had bought, usually to a set budget of £5. Essential ingredients such as bread, milk, eggs etc. are provided by the show. The two teams were 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 featured on the guests' aprons and in the show's logo).

Occasionally, the permitted budget was increased: a so-called Bistro Bag allowed for ingredients of up to £7.50, while the Gourmet Bag could have a value of up to £10. On some occasions, they used a £3.50 Budget Bag. Also on a few shows, a Lucky Dip Bag was used, which contained ten items. The chef closed their eyes and picked out half of the items at the beginning. At the halfway mark, the chef randomly picked a sixth item, which might have helped or hindered the chef. The chefs had no prior knowledge of the ingredients they had to prepare. Another format was used on occasion in which both kitchens were given the same ingredients and the toss of a red and green die determined who had first pick.

The Main Course

The chefs had to make several dishes out of the said ingredients in 20 minutes, with the help of the contestants and the programme host. As the contestants taste the prepared food, the host asks the chef some questions about their dish. Prior to the September 2006 season it was customary for the chefs to name their creations, which usually included a pun.

The preparations were voted on by the studio audience, who each held up a card showing either a red tomato or green pepper. In the newer episodes, the audience members pushed a button on their seat keypad to indicate who they would like to win. The winner received a cash prize of £100, which celebrity guests donated to charity (an example the regular guests sometimes followed) 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 later received a Ready Steady Cook mug due to budget restraints.

Quickie bag

The quickie bag section of the show then followed. This was introduced in 2000, the same year Ainsley Harriott became presenter (having previously been one of the celebrity chefs on the programme during Fern Britton's tenure as host), 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 was currently in season or unusual ingredients that had not featured on the show recently. In late August 2007, the quickie bag changed format with the bag being brought in by an audience member, who challenged the chefs to prepare the dish.

The two chefs each had a chance to describe what they would cook using the bag of ingredients and the audience members voted to choose which dish they would like to see prepared. The winner then had 10 minutes to complete the described dishes, with the help of the other chef and Ainsley. 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.

Variations on the format

  • Classic Bag – The original format where the contestant brought in a bag of ingredients costing up to £5.
  • Budget Bag – Similar to the 'Classic Bag' but the ingredients could 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 used a coin or die with a Green Pepper and Red Tomato on to decide which chef would decide what to do with the ingredients first. The other chef must do something different.
  • Forfeit Bag – The chefs had to choose a card at random with a forfeit which prohibited their use of a certain store cupboard ingredient such as No Fresh Herbs, No Spices, No Citrus or No Wine.
  • Gamble Bag – The chefs were 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 were presented with a bag of ten items from which they had to pick five at random. After 10 minutes had passed, they then chose a sixth ingredient, which depending on what the chef has started cooking, can help or hinder them.

''Celebrity Ready Steady Cook''

Originally as a spin-off that ran alongside the original, Celebrity Ready Steady Cook had celebrities, often competing against a family member or friend, provide the bag of ingredients to the same budget of £5. Later series would see the public completely replaced with celebrity guests.

Celebrity appearances include: David Tennant, Wendy Richard, Kate Winslet, Honor Blackman, James May, Richard Hammond, Paul O'Grady as alter-ego Lily Savage, Cliff Richard, Twiggy, Rakie Ayola, Fiona Bruce, Gail Porter, Midge Ure, Edd China, Amanda Redman, Ade Edmondson and Alan Davies.

Revived series

In September 2019, the BBC announced that Ready Steady Cook would return.

Returning in March 2020, Celebrity MasterChef finalist Rylan Clark serves as host. He is joined by chefs Ellis Barrie, Romy Gill, Anna Haugh, Akis Petretzikis, and Mike Reid.

Ready Steady Cook introduced various sustainability efforts, including favouring glass over plastic, initiating a recycling programme, donating leftover food to a local food bank, and using locally sourced seasonal ingredients and Fair Trade items when available.

The second series following the revival started airing in March 2021. Clark returned as host, with the chef team largely remaining the same. Jeremy Pang replaced Mike Reid as Reid was unable to return to the UK from Australia during the pandemic. For the first time, the chefs decided the winner as the show was filmed without an audience.

Series overview

Original series

SeriesStart dateEnd dateEpisodes
124 October 19941 May 199573
1 June 1995
22 May 199531 May 199598
2 June 199514 March 1996
18 March 199620 March 1996
16 April 1996
315 March 199685
21 March 199615 April 1996
17 April 199613 September 1996
15 October 1996
28 February 19976 March 1997
10 March 1997
14 March 1997
18 March 199720 March 1997
24 March 199727 March 1997
9 April 1997
11 April 199717 April 1997
6 May 19977 May 1997
13 May 199720 May 1997
27 May 19972 June 1997
4 June 199716 June 1997
20 August 199722 August 1997
416 September 199614 October 199696
16 October 199627 February 1997
7 March 1997
11 March 199713 March 1997
17 March 1997
21 March 1997
1 April 19978 April 1997
10 April 1997
18 April 1997
12 May 1997
21 May 199722 May 1997
3 June 1997
19 June 1997
51 September 19979 September 1998139
14 September 199915 September 1998
610 September 1998105
16 September 199813 July 1999
76 September 199930 May 2000108
814 August 20005 January 200165
922 January 200130 July 200165
103 September 200121 December 200155
1121 January 200228 May 200247
1212 August 20026 May 2003108
1318 August 200326 May 2004124
1431 August 200410 May 2005123
155 September 200510 May 2006120
1618 September 200620 April 2007123
1727 August 200726 October 200747
1811 February 200816 May 200857
1919 May 20087 October 200832
2019 January 200915 June 200940
2124 November 20092 February 201035

Revived series

SeriesStart dateEnd dateEpisodesPresenter
12 March 202027 March 202020Rylan Clark
21 March 202115 April 202130

''Celebrity Ready Steady Cook''

SeriesStart dateEnd dateEpisodes
111 July 199729 August 19978
224 December 199725 February 199811
8 July 1998
12 February 1999
34 March 19989
10 July 19984 September 1998
47 October 19985 February 199912
511 June 199915 December 19999
627 December 199924 May 200010
719 June 20002 July 20002
818 October 200029 June 200121
98 September 200119 June 200219
106 November 20023 January 20032

Specials

DateEntitlePresenter
12 February 2002Happy Birthday!Ainsley Harriott
13 February 2002
23 December 2004Christmas Special
12 July 2006Sports Relief Special
17 March 2021Red Nose Day SpecialRylan Clark

Daytime Celebrity Christmas specials

SeriesStart dateEnd dateEpisodesPresenter
127 December 20023 January 20037Ainsley Harriott
226 December 200331 December 20035

International versions

CountryTitleBroadcasterPresenter(s)PremiereFinale
Ready Steady CookNetwork TenNick Stratford (2005)
Peter Everett (2006–2011)
Colin Lane (2011–2013)
Miguel Maestre (2024)4 April 2005
8 March 202412 December 2013
20 July 2024
KochduellVOXBritta von Lojewski1 September 199727 August 2005
Στην κουζίνα ολοταχώς
Stin kouzina olotahosMega ChannelIlias Mamalakis20012004
Ready, Steady, CookAlpha TVAkis Petretzikis8 May 201710 July 2017
KokkisotaMTV3 (1999–2021)
Star Channel (2025–present)Sikke Sumari (1999–2004, 2017–2021)
Anni Ihamäki (2025–present)25 February 1999
19 January 2017
30 September 202513 May 2004
5 August 2021
present
La prova del cuocoRai 1Antonella Clerici (2000–2008; 2010–2018)
Elisa Isoardi (2008–2010; 2018–2020)2 October 200026 June 2020
Брза кујна
Brza kujnaSitel TVSanja Saveska2015present
Woolworth's Ready Steady CookTV3 (1998)
TVNZ (1999, 2005)Kerre Woodham (1998–1999)
Clayton Carrick-Leslie (2005)1998
20051999
2005
SmaczneGO!
Gotowi do Gotowania. Start!TVP 2Olga Bończyk (2007–2008)
Marzena Rogalska (2019)10 March 2007
9 September 201924 May 2008
26 November 2019
Ready, Steady, CookSABCMoshi Ndiki17 March 2024present
Bence Benim AnnemShow TVBerna Laçin4 March 201318 April 2013
Ready... Set... Cook!Food NetworkRobin Young (1995–1996)
Sissy Biggers (1996–2000)
Ainsley Harriott (2000–2001)2 October 19951 January 2001

Books

  • {{Cite book
  • {{Cite book

References

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Wikipedia Source

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