READER’S DIGESTthe black Liberace, because he was
quite camp and used to wear lots of
glittery clothes.
He’d do a bit of humour, then some
songs and towards the end of his set,
shout out, “Right, what do you want
to hear now?” He just entertained
the room. They definitely influence
you, your parents.
...A GREAT MIX OF CHILDREN AT
SECONDARY SCHOOL. Wandsworth
Boys School was a grammar school
that had turned into a comprehensive.
As the local phrase went, it had “some
boys that could go to Borstal [Youth
Detention Centre] and some that
could go to Eton.”
You had to have your wits
about you, but there were lots
of charming pupils, too. I was
fascinated by the blend of
people that got involved in
school plays and I took part
in all the productions.
...DECIDING TO BE A CHEF,
WHILE I WAS ON HOLIDAY.
My friend Charles had a
French pen friend and he and
I went to stay with their family
when I was 17. It was
phenomenal: going fishing,
going to the market, then
sitting around having a three-
hour lunch. My mum was a
wonderful cook and I’d always
enjoyed cooking, too, but now
I was understanding a new
cuisine and things were taken to a
new level.
I came back and told my teacher
that I wanted to leave school and go
into the kitchen. “Harriott, you’re far
too bright,” he told me, which I
thought that was really rude. He
couldn’t see my passion. But I went
to catering college, anyway....SHINING UP THE COPPER POTS
WITH FLOUR, SALT AND VINEGAR.
My first job was at Verrey’s, a posh
restaurant in the West End, and there
was a black chef there called Clifford
Walker who gave me the hardest time.
I’d have to stay behind when everyone
was going for a break, just learningA young Ainsley poses
for the camera.
(Opposite); Various
scenes from his youth