Can't Cook, Won't Cook
Encyclopedia
Can't Cook, Won't Cook was a UK game show
and cooking
programme that was broadcast on BBC1 on weekday mornings usually after the Breakfast News
from 20 November 1995 to 7 July 2000.
Then once the winner has been decided the walls of the studio open up to reveal a prize (usually a food blender or set of saucepans).
. However, other chefs such as Kevin Woodford
, Lesley Waters
, Richard Cawley
, Tony Tobin
occasionally took on the role.
One special episode aired under the name "Can't Smeg, Won't Smeg" as part of the 10th anniversary of the Red Dwarf
series; this can be seen on the Series IV DVD. The Red Dwarf cast participated in the show entirely in character. Ainsley Harriott
, the host chef for the episode, had previously performed a small role in the Red Dwarf episode Emohawk: Polymorph II
. Lister and Kryten face off against Rimmer and Duane Dibbley as the host of Can't Cook, Won't Cook teaches the teams how to cook a curry with Kristine Kochanski as taste test judge. The show was won by Rimmer and Duane. Not surprising considering they stole Ainsley's rice and cucumber yoghurt.
s based on the series written and a board game
based on the series made.
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
and cooking
Cooking
Cooking is the process of preparing food by use of heat. Cooking techniques and ingredients vary widely across the world, reflecting unique environmental, economic, and cultural traditions. Cooks themselves also vary widely in skill and training...
programme that was broadcast on BBC1 on weekday mornings usually after the Breakfast News
Breakfast News
Breakfast News was a breakfast news show which aired on BBC One from September 4, 1989 to September 15, 2000.The programme had been previously known as Breakfast Time....
from 20 November 1995 to 7 July 2000.
Format
Two chefs (one of whom could not cook and one of whom would not cook) were nominated by a friend or relative to cook a meal under the instruction of a world class chef. When the dish was cooked, the nominator would be blindfolded and asked to taste the food. Following this, they would decide whose dish was best. In the event of a tie, the aforementioned chef would decide.Then once the winner has been decided the walls of the studio open up to reveal a prize (usually a food blender or set of saucepans).
Chefs
Over the years the programme featured several different host chefs, most predominantly Ainsley HarriottAinsley Harriott
Ainsley Harriott is a British celebrity chef and television presenter.-Early career:Trained at Westminster College of Catering, Ainsley obtained an apprenticeship at Verrey's restaurant in the West End and later worked as a commis chef...
. However, other chefs such as Kevin Woodford
Kevin Woodford
Kevin Woodford, BA , MHCIMA, Cert ED is a Manx celebrity chef, actor, television presenter, businessman, hotelier and former restaurateur.-Career:...
, Lesley Waters
Lesley Waters
Lesley Waters is an English celebrity chef. She regularly appears on such cookery programmes as Ready Steady Cook, and is currently one of the featured chefs on This Morning....
, Richard Cawley
Richard Cawley
Richard Cawley is an English food writer, chef and fashion designer.-Biography:Cawley was born in the Yorkshire market town of Doncaster...
, Tony Tobin
Tony Tobin
Tony Tobin is a celebrity chef who has been a regular on the BBC food show Ready Steady Cook since 1995. His other notable British TV appearances were as the presenter of the 13-part series Spice World and The Green Gourmet on the Carlton Food Channel...
occasionally took on the role.
Can't Smeg, Won't Smeg
Red Dwarf
Red Dwarf is a British comedy franchise which primarily comprises eight series of a television science fiction sitcom that aired on BBC Two between 1988 and 1999 and Dave from 2009–present. It gained cult following. It was created by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, who also wrote the first six series...
series; this can be seen on the Series IV DVD. The Red Dwarf cast participated in the show entirely in character. Ainsley Harriott
Ainsley Harriott
Ainsley Harriott is a British celebrity chef and television presenter.-Early career:Trained at Westminster College of Catering, Ainsley obtained an apprenticeship at Verrey's restaurant in the West End and later worked as a commis chef...
, the host chef for the episode, had previously performed a small role in the Red Dwarf episode Emohawk: Polymorph II
Emohawk: Polymorph II
"Emohawk: Polymorph II" is the fourth episode of the British science fiction sitcom TV show Red Dwarf VI and the 34th in the series run. It was first broadcast on BBC2 on 28 October 1993. Written by Rob Grant & Doug Naylor and directed by Andy de Emmony, the episode features the crew again being...
. Lister and Kryten face off against Rimmer and Duane Dibbley as the host of Can't Cook, Won't Cook teaches the teams how to cook a curry with Kristine Kochanski as taste test judge. The show was won by Rimmer and Duane. Not surprising considering they stole Ainsley's rice and cucumber yoghurt.
Key moments
- Craig/Lister eating half a jar of curry paste and drinking from the can of coconut milk before pouring the rest into the curry.
- Chris/Rimmer keeping Ainsley occupied while Danny/Duane swapped their rice with Ainsley's.
- Ainsley realising whilst dishing up that Chris and Danny have also nicked his cucumber and tomato yoghurt. (Mr. Harriot, the cheque is in the post sir.)
- Kryten/Robert clearing the workstation with his groinal attachment.
- After Lister stares at Kochanski's butt, he asks why girls always hit people when they can't think of a witty retort. Kochanski responds by hitting him in the face with a pan.
- Ainsley sawing off Robert's groinal attachment with an electric carver.
- Danny entering as Duane through the waste disposal.
- Ainsley's reaction when they show him the ingredients they've brought along (in a section of the show mimicking another cooking program, Ready, Steady, Cook). A dead space weevil, a pot noodle, two bottles of urine recyc wine, an innersole, a Mimian bladder fish, rice pudding made in the bowl Duane uses to get his hair cut with, and Caroline Carmen's ear.
- Craig asking if it's all right to bleed on the food.
- Chloë/Kochanski's face throughout the whole thing (she is ultimately the taste-tester).
- Ainsley nearly burning his rice. (Lister: "Well that's not very professional is it?")
- As the credits roll, everyone discovers how horrible Lister and Kryten's curry is.
Trivia
- In the 1999 Can't Cook Won't Cook Red Nose Day special, the doors to the studio wouldn't open and Ainsley Harriot had to squeeze through the partly opened door.
- In one episode Kevin WoodfordKevin WoodfordKevin Woodford, BA , MHCIMA, Cert ED is a Manx celebrity chef, actor, television presenter, businessman, hotelier and former restaurateur.-Career:...
's flambe failed to ignite.
- Richard McCourtRichard McCourtRichard "Dick" McCourt is an English actor and presenter of radio and television, best known as one half of the comic duo Dick and Dom, with the other being Dominic Wood...
and Dominic WoodDominic WoodDominic Simon "Dom" Wood is an English entertainer, magician and presenter of radio and television, best known as one half of the double act Dick and Dom, with the other being Richard McCourt....
once made a special appearance in 1997.
- The studio was set up like a messy kitchen with giant takeaway boxes and messy food in the background of the set.
- The opening titles featured food being burned, poured, splattered and thrown everywhere.
Merchandise
There have been several cookbookCookbook
A cookbook is a kitchen reference that typically contains a collection of recipes. Modern versions may also include colorful illustrations and advice on purchasing quality ingredients or making substitutions...
s based on the series written and a board game
Board game
A board game is a game which involves counters or pieces being moved on a pre-marked surface or "board", according to a set of rules. Games may be based on pure strategy, chance or a mixture of the two, and usually have a goal which a player aims to achieve...
based on the series made.
External links
- Can't Cook, Won't Cook at BFI