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Ready Steady Cook
Format	Cookery, show
Starring	Fern Britton, 1994-2000 Ainsley Harriott, 2000-present
Country of origin	United Kingdom
No. of episodes	1,663 (including celebrity editions)
Production
Producer(s)	Endemol
Running time	45 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	BBC Two
Original run	1994 – present

Ready Steady Cook is a BBC daytime TV cooking programme first aired in 1994. The programme was hosted by Fern Britton from 1994 until 2000 when celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott became the new host. The present duration of the programme is 45 minutes.

Two members of the public, or occasionally sporting or other 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. It is implied that the chefs have no prior knowledge of the ingredients they will have to prepare, although it is unknown whether this is the case or not.

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 receives a cash prize of £100, which celebrity guests donate to charity (an example the regular guests will sometimes follow). The runner-up receives a hamper which includes a variety of items, such as a set of knives, pasta and sauces, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

On 27 August 2007 a new series of Ready Steady Cook started with a new set. Due to this case, the cards were replaced by handsets. The prizes also changed from the money and hamper to money and a plate to the winner and a mug to the loser.

The quickie bag section of the show then follows. This was introduced in 2000, the same year Ainsley Harriott became presenter, extending the programme 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.

Each programme lasts forty five minutes and the show is aired five times per week on the BBC Two channel (usually from 1630-1715). Repeats of the show are sometimes shown on UKTV Food. During the winter break the shows time slot is occupied by Food poker.

• Gino D'Acampo
• Garrey Dawson
• Alex Mackay
• James Martin
• Nick Nairn
• Paul Rankin
• James Tanner
• Tony Tobin
• Brian Turner
• Phil Vickery
• Lesley Waters

• Ready.. Set... Cook! - US Television series
• Ready Steady Cook - Australian Television series
• La Prova Del Cuoco - Italian version of these series

• Ready Steady Cook at bbc.co.uk
• Ready Steady Cook at UKGameshows.com