You’ve just spent a glorious few weeks touring Australian farmers’ markets and tasting fresh produce. What surprised you the most about Australian food?
I think the growth in diversity, which influences both cuisine and produce. It’s easy for people from the UK to think of Australia as a kind of England-on-Sea, but there’s an amazing range of cultures on display, particularly in the blossoming market scene.
Now that you’re an Australian coffee connoisseur, can you tell us your coffee order?
I’ve been lucky enough to have been visiting Australia for many years and when I first noticed something called a ‘flat white’, I had no idea what it was. Now, it’s certainly taken over the UK and, I must admit, I’m rather partial to a flat white during the morning.
What was the best thing you ate in Australia?
Was this Ainsley's favourite dish? You could say so. Source: Ainsley's Market Menu
There wasn’t one special dish; what really impressed me all over again was the quality of the produce. It’s quite true to say that if you work with marvellous fresh ingredients, the simplest dish is taken to another level.
What did you crave most from England while you were away?
Not food - Australia has everything you could need. What it doesn’t have, though, is Bobby Dog - and, as my beloved Labrador hasn’t figured out Facetime, I miss him when I’m away. Of course I miss the kids, but modern technology means they can keep in touch all the time - and I miss Arsenal FC, who have to struggle by without my presence in the stand.
What’s one ingredient you can’t live without in the kitchen?
It’s an almost impossible question to answer - but if pushed, I’d probably go for the versatility of olive oil; it’s something I use every day and in so many different ways. What’s more, some of the very best olive oils I’ve tasted have been Australian.
When I first noticed something called a ‘flat white’, I had no idea what it was.
Could you tell us your favourite food of all time?
Well, it’s all about emotion mixed with nostalgia: I’d say my late mum’s speciality - Peppy’s Oxtail with butter beans - rich and delicious, satisfying … in fact, a cuddle on a plate.
If you had to choose between chocolate and cheese, which would you pick?
Gotta be cheese. 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.
Where will you be jetting off to next?
Ainsley loves UK cuisine for its cultural variations. Source: Ainsley's Market Menu
I’m off to film a Mediterranean series for the UK. First stop is Marrakech in Morocco, then we move on through Spain, France and Italy to the Middle East. I really hope you get to see the show next year on one of the SBS channels.
If you had to eat the cuisine of one country for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I don’t think it’s cheating when I say the UK, in the sense that every possible national cuisine is to be found there and has really been absorbed into the national culture. In London, you can visit, in a way, every part of the globe within the span of a few streets. It’s truly amazing and, whatever your mood, you’re sure to find something to your taste.
What’s the best cooking tip you’ve ever received?
There are two. First – don’t use a knife to peel ginger; use a teaspoon. Second – always have a packet of my flavoured couscous in the cupboard.
Ainsley Harriott traverses Australia's lively regional produce markets on the brand-new season of Ainsley's Australian Market Menu. Catch it at 7:30pm Thursdays from 10 October to 14 November on SBS, catch up on SBS Food, or stream on SBS On Demand. Visit the for recipes, the episode guide and more.
