Ainsley Harriott thanked Liverpudlians for accepting him as he attended the National Diversity Awards at Liverpool Cathedral on September 18. The chef, who turns 70 next year, praised the city's warmth and humour in an exclusive interview with the ECHO.
Chef praises Scouse welcome
The 69-year-old said: "It's great being in Liverpool. Even when you get into a taxi, the driver has humour. There's just so much positivity and I love that about the place. When you get here on a Friday night and people are walking out, women have curlers in their hair ready to go out for a Friday night. You don't get that in London or Manchester where everyone's trying to be very proper. But here in Liverpool they say, 'No, I'm going to look great when I go out'. And they do look fantastic. It's just the happiness and joy that the people give to you and the joy they give to each other. There's a genuine warmth."
He added: "It doesn't matter what side of town you're from, there's just a lovely energy. So thank you, Liverpudlians, for accepting who I am."
Connection to the city
Ainsley enjoys a connection to the city through his partner who previously lived here with her family. He laughed: "My brother-in-law was a teacher at the school Wayne Rooney attended. One day, he was looking out the window, called the other teachers over, and said, 'Hey, come and look at this. Wayne Rooney is taking on the rest of the school'. And no one could get the ball from him. He was destined to be an international star on Match of the Day."
The fifteenth edition of the event shone the spotlight on charities, role models and community heroes for their work in enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion.
Trailblazing career
Across his almost 40 years on television, Ainsley has been a trailblazer as one of the first presenters from a Caribbean heritage to become a household name. He said: "It's always special. I think anybody who's in TV, theatre, or at the forefront of things, ultimately wants to inspire others. The fact that people are coming up to me. It's not until you come to an awards show that you start to understand how much people have sacrificed, and how much energy and enthusiasm people have put into their work so they can be here, so we can congratulate them and give them praise."
Ainsley was one of the first British chefs to introduce Caribbean flavours into cookery shows. Catchphrases like "yeah boy" and "why hello Jill", when he surprised an elderly lady for a Mother's Day segment on This Morning in 2018, have become part of internet vocabulary. He added: "Every time I turn on the radio, it's there and you've become a bit of a meme. But you can't predict that. You can't make something and say people are going to love this. You've just got to go with the flow."
Looking ahead
Ainsley's first TV appearance came in 1988 but the chef remains as passionate as ever. He is looking forward to juggling work and family commitments as he approaches his milestone birthday next year. He said: "Making more TV programs, being an adoring grandfather, a loving dad and a caring person. I think if we give out enough love and care to those who mean something to us, and extend that vibe, it's a very positive thing that's good for all of us."
