Fern Britton and Gordon Ramsay launches new cookery competition

Fern Britton first locked eyes with TV chef Phil Vickery over the chopping board on Ready, Steady, Cook in 1999, and they married the next year. So there’s a symmetry to their reunion on ITV’s new daytime cookery show, Culinary Genius. 

Fern is hosting the daily cookery-themed competition and Phil will be one of the celebrity chefs featured. Produced by sweary chef Gordon Ramsay – who also appears – the new kitchen competition features nine contestants competing in three quick-fire battle rounds: a knife-skills round, a ten-minute precision and skills test, and a final 25-minute cook-off.

After each of the first two rounds, three contestants will be banished from the kitchen, leaving three to compete in the final round. 

Despite her previous job as cookery-show host, and the fact she’s known Gordon for 20 years, Fern tells Saturday she was astonished that Gordon offered her the job.

“Gordon’s production company told me that I was the only person they wanted to do it and I was in a bit of shock to be asked!” laughs Fern. “But finally I realised that it was a wonderful offer and so I said yes.”

Despite Gordon’s sizzling temper and language, Fern insists that he’s actually very friendly and funny and a very good boss.

“Gordon’s legendary swearing is very much part of who he is. The audience and contestants alike loved it when he let loose with it. There will be lots of editing, because this is a 3pm show!”

With one celebrity chef per week, Gordon kicks off the 20-part series, followed by Rosemary Shrager, Jean-Christophe Novelli and Phil. 

“Gordon is charmingly brutal. Phil is so kind that the contestant doesn’t even feel the knife go in. Rosemary is exuberant but takes no prisoners, and Jean-Christophe is very funny, then damns them with his Gallic glint.”

Fern says her job is just to host the party. “And the cooks want to hear from Chef, not me!” 

CULINARY GENIUS, Daily, Times vary, ITV