Talented chefs battle it out against the clock, creating delicious dishes in 20 minutes
Ready, Steady, Cook (Season 0)
1996 Christmas Special (Episode 1)
Air date: 1996-12-28
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson, from Birds of a Feather, join chefs Antony Worrall Thompson and Ainsley Harriott for a festive edition of the cookery challenge. With Fern Britton.
2000 Poppy Day Special (Episode 2)
Air date: 2000-11-10
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: Ainsley Harriott hosts a Poppy Day special edition of the beat the clock cookery show.
Happy Birthday Ready Steady Cook (1) (Episode 3)
Air date: 2001-12-03
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: To celebrate today's 1,000th programme, a week of special editions starts with a rematch of two contestants from the very first show.
Happy Birthday Ready Steady Cook (2) (Episode 4)
Air date: 2001-12-04
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: Further celebrations to mark 1,000 editions of the culinary contest.
Happy Birthday Ready Steady Cook (3) (Episode 5)
Air date: 2001-12-05
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: Continuing the birthday-themed culinary contest that celebrates 1,000 episodes.
Happy Birthday Ready Steady Cook (4) (Episode 6)
Air date: 2001-12-06
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: Another themed edition of the culinary challenge with Ainsley Harriott to mark the 1,000th programme.
Happy Birthday Ready Steady Cook (5) (Episode 7)
Air date: 2001-12-07
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: Another anniversary-flavoured edition of the against-the-clock culinary contest.
Britain's Strongest Men Special (Episode 8)
Air date: 2001-12-27
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: In the first of two specials, two of Britain's strongest men, Glen Ross and Steve Brooks, are asked to create 20-minute meals. Presented by Ainsley Harriott.
CBBC Special (Episode 9)
Air date: 2001-12-28
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: In the second of two specials, CBBC's Michael Underwood and Liam Dolan team up with chefs James Martin and Ross Burden.
2002 Specials (1) (Episode 10)
Air date: 2002-12-23
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: First of seven editions showing over the holiday fortnight in which Ainsley Harriott reviews the past year in the company of celebrity chefs and guests. Today he is joined by Rhona Cameron and Nell McAndrew.
2002 Specials (2) (Episode 11)
Air date: 2002-12-27
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: Preeya Kalidas and Raza Jaffrey , stars of smash-hit musical Bombay Dreams, join Ainsley Harriott for a feast from the East.
2002 Specials (3) (Episode 12)
Air date: 2002-12-30
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: Olympian Tanni Grey-Thompson and marathon man Lloyd Scott join Ainsley Harriott for today's Cook-Off.
2002 Specials (4) (Episode 13)
Air date: 2002-12-31
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: An edition of the cookery show in which Ainsley Harriott looks back at highlights of the year in the company of celebrity guests.
2002 Specials (5) (Episode 14)
Air date: 2003-01-01
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell brings his talents to the kitchen in a bid to defeat his presenter wife Beverley Turner.
2002 Specials (6) (Episode 15)
Air date: 2003-01-02
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: Another edition of the cookery show in which Ainsley Harriott looks back at highlights of the year in the company of more celebrity guests.
2002 Specials (7) (Episode 16)
Air date: 2003-01-03
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: How to Cook a Tart author Nina Killham guests in the last of this week's looks back over the past year of the against-the-clock culinary contest. With Ainsley Harriot.
Six Nations Special (Episode 17)
Air date: 2003-02-14
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: England rugby internationals Danny Grewcock and Kyran Bracken showcase their culinary capabilities in this Six Nations special.
2003 Children in Need Special (Episode 18)
Air date: 2003-11-21
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: In a Children in Need special, Pudsey Bear joins chefs Lesley Waters and Antony Worrall Thompson plus Trading Up's Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan.
2004 Specials (1) (Episode 19)
Air date: 2004-12-20
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: An expert gift wrapper takes on a celebrity stylist.
2004 Specials (2) (Episode 20)
Air date: 2004-12-21
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: Kevin Woodford and Tony Tobin team up with charity workers for gourmet glory.
2004 Specials (3) (Episode 21)
Air date: 2004-12-22
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: Jodie Marsh and Lady Isabella Hervey sizzle with Brian Turner and James Martin.
2004 Specials (4) (Episode 22)
Air date: 2004-12-23
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: With panto stars Sylvester McCoy and Issy van Randwyck.
2004 Specials (5) (Episode 23)
Air date: 2004-12-27
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: Charlie Dimmock and Tommy Walsh compete.
2004 Specials (6) (Episode 24)
Air date: 2004-12-29
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: With Jessica Taylor and Kevin Simm from Liberty X.
2004 Specials (7) (Episode 25)
Air date: 2004-12-30
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: Nicky Haslam and Cleo Rocos join chefs Ross Burden and Phil Vickery.
2004 Specials (8) (Episode 26)
Air date: 2004-12-31
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: Absolutely Fabulous regulars Helen Lederer and Harriet Thorpe go for gourmet glory.
2008 Christmas Special - Ray Mears and Matthew Wright (Episode 27)
Air date: 2008-12-22
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: Survival expert Ray Mears and TV presenter Matthew Wright reveal what they'll be tucking into at Christmas, as Ainsley Harriott hosts.
2008 Christmas Special - Rani Price and Matthew Skilton (Episode 28)
Air date: 2008-12-23
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: TV presenters Rani Price and Matthew Skilton take a break from wildlife watching and sharpen their culinary skills.
2008 Christmas Special - Esther Rantzen and Rebecca Wilcox (Episode 29)
Air date: 2008-12-24
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: Esther Rantzen and her daughter, TV presenter Rebecca Wilcox, join Ainsley Harriott for a feast of seasonal food.
2008 Christmas Special - Toyah Willcox and Shauna Lowry (Episode 30)
Air date: 2008-12-26
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: Singer Toyah Willcox and TV presenter Shauna Lowry battle it out to see who'll be Christmas number one in the kitchen.
2008 Christmas Special - Lee and Casey Mead (Episode 31)
Air date: 2008-12-27
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: Guests Lee Mead, star of Any Dream Will Do, and his brother Casey compete in a family edition of the cookery challenge with Ainsley Harriott.
2008 Christmas Special - Sir Henry Cooper and Geoff Capes (Episode 32)
Air date: 2008-12-30
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: Former heavyweight boxing champion Sir Henry Cooper and superstrong man Geoff Capes make light work of their kitchen tasks.
