British cooking show
Gordon Ramsay: Cookalong Live is a British cooking show starring Gordon Ramsay. Originally conceived as a one-off episode, Channel 4 later commissioned a full series for late 2008. A Christmas special aired on 25 December 2011 and a second on 25 December 2012.
Background
The original episode was part of The Big Food Fight, a January 2008 promotion featuring Channel 4 shows starring Jamie Oliver, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Gordon Ramsay.[2] On live television, Ramsay invited the entire nation to prepare a three course meal for four with him in just under 60 minutes[3] Ingredients and instructions were available on the official site to help viewers prepare for the event at home. Often, he would teach viewers basic cooking techniques, such as chopping an onion or boning a chicken.
The show was expanded to a seven-episode series for autumn 2008,[4] and began on 24 October 2008.[5] Each week Ramsay prepared a themed menu ranging from curry night to a 1970s theme, and even participated in a challenge with that episode's celebrity guest in cooking a dish chosen by the celebrity.
Christmas Specials
A Christmas special aired live on 25 December 2011. It saw Ramsay making a Christmas lunch at his own home in Battersea. Guests included David Hasselhoff, Russell Grant, Jermain Defoe and Dynamo.[7] Another special was aired the following Christmas.[8]
2011 Menu:
Starter
Smoked salmon parcels with fennel and apple salad
Main course
Roast turkey with herb butter
Chestnut, pistachio, sage, sausage and apricot stuffing
Apple and sherry gravy
Spiced and honey glazed carrots and parsnips
Brussels sprouts with bacon and chilli
Perfect goose fat roast potatoes
Bacon wrapped cocktail sausages
Dessert
Christmas trifle
International versions
An American version of the same name, also hosted by Ramsay, aired as a one-hour special on the Fox network on 15 December 2009.[9] Guests included Whoopi Goldberg, Cedric the Entertainer, Alyson Hannigan and LeAnn Rimes, with home cooks featured live via Skype. The three course meal shown on the U.S. premiere was identical to episode 3 of the original British series.
In September 2008, an Australian version was announced for airing on the Nine Network, also hosted by Ramsay.[10] However it never eventuated.
Optomen and One Potato Two Potato licensed the Cookalong format for Swedish television. Tina's Cookalong starring Tina Nordström premiered in September 2009, with Ramsay appearing as a guest.[11]
A Spanish version titled Cocina conmigo was announced to premier on Nova on 24 February 2013, hosted by Rodrigo de la Calle.[12]
A Bulgarian version hosted by Silvena Rowe has aired on bTV since September 2013.
