Why Ainsley Harriott was at two Morrisons in Lancashire on Friday

Ainsley has come to Leyland and Preston as part of his tour around Morrisons stores across Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

It’s not just for the love of butter pies, but instead because he’ll be meeting shoppers, sharing recipe inspiration and surprising customers with prizes.

Ainsley Foods Company is also to donate £3,000 worth of food in each of the three regions.

We spoke to him at the Morrisons at Preston Docks.

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Ainsley said: “The people have been amazing.

“You know, I turned up here, there’s a queue of people.

“Some of them are wearing T-shirts and a few of them over there saying, ‘give your meat a good old rub,’ what does it mean?”

“I said, as long as you’re serving it with a side of couscous, there’s nothing to worry about.

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“It’s been an absolute joy, you know, people have come up and said they’ve been watching me since Ready, Steady, Cook days and still watching now.”

Ainsley is one of Britain’s best-known culinary personalities, having entertained audiences for more than three decades with his energetic style.

Born in London in 1957, he trained as a chef before working in some of the capital’s leading kitchens and later becoming head chef at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

He added, on his trip around Lancashire: “Everybody knows it’s about getting out there and promoting what you’ve got in the supermarkets, my soups and my couscous.

“But ultimately, I think it’s about meeting people.

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“All my life, even before I was on television, it’s all about connecting with people. I think because my dad was in show business, it made a big, big difference because he used to connect with people and I used to see that energy.

“And I think as youngsters, we look at our parents, don’t we? And we kind of pick up different things from them.

“I think I definitely picked up that from my dad, and so it’s great.”

Harriott rose to national fame through popular BBC programmes including Ready Steady Cook and Can’t Cook, Won’t Cook.

He has also fronted numerous travel and cookery series and has written bestselling cookbooks, selling more than two million copies worldwide.

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In 2020, he was awarded an MBE for services to broadcasting and the culinary arts, recognising his contribution to food television and British culture.

He’s even been all over the North West, on occasions coming to Bolton Food and Drink Festival.

Speaking about Bolton’s festival, he said: “I used to love it.

“I should have done it this year, actually, but the dates didn’t work out.

“When they invited me back to go and do the Bolton Food and Drink Festival, it was wonderful.

“Last time we were down there, it was like that magnificent by the town hall.”

Today, he remains a popular figure on television and at food festivals across the country, where his live demonstrations continue to draw large crowds.

To sum it up, Ainsley said: “Is Preston and Lancashire the favourite place? It certainly is today.”