This Is Your Life: The Spice of Life

There may well be an abundance of TV chefs and cookery experts on our screens today, but very few such subjects were around during the run of This Is Your Life.

So accept this feature in the tradition of nouvelle cuisine – a light and delicate dish beautifully presented - as from soups to soufflés and marinades to marzipan - we look at those creators of all things food who received the Big Red Book treatment...

		Graham KERR 29 March 1972 Graham - best known for his internationally syndicated television cookery show The Galloping Gourmet - was surprised by Eamonn in the salubrious setting of Dorset's Poole Harbour. The celebrity chef, who was born in London but moved to New Zealand in his early 20s, was greeted by veteran actor and family friend, Terry-Thomas.


		Robert CARRIER 19 January 1983 Eamonn arrived in style – via helicopter – to surprise Robert in the grounds of his East Anglia home. The cookery writer, restaurateur and television presenter was flown to Anglia Television studios where the show was then recorded. His tribute includes the actor Derek Nimmo and a message from rock star Bill Wyman.


		Keith FLOYD 23 October 1991 Michael and the team flew to Dublin in order to surprise the eccentrically styled television chef and restaurateur, who was found propping up the bar of The Brazen Head! Back at Teddington Studios, his tribute - in a strange co-incidence - also includes a message from rock star Bill Wyman!


		Albert and Michel ROUX 13 January 1993 The French-born brothers, restaurateurs and chefs working in Britain, were surprised by Michael at London's Langhan Brasserie - at a party to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the opening of their first London restaurant. The guest list includes Jane Asher, Keith Floyd and Egon Ronay.


		Gary RHODES 27 September 1996 Michael crept into the basement of the BBC Television Centre to surprise the popular restaurateur, writer, chef and television presenter. Paying tribute are fellow chef Raymond Blanc and Gary's sporting heroes David Beckham, Eric Cantona and Bryan Robson.


		Marguerite PATTEN 31 January 2000 One of the original 'celebrity chefs' - who presented her first television cookery programme on BBC Television in 1947 - was surprised by Michael during the Food Show at the NEC in Birmingham. Marguerite's guests include actor Bill Pertwee, and a whole of host of chefs who have been influenced by her, among them Gary Rhodes and James Martin.


		Kevin WOODFORD 30 May 2001 The multi-talented chef and presenter was trying his hand at an acting role in the BBC television soap opera Doctors when Michael surprised him - on set - at the BBC Pebble Mill studios in Birmingham. Among those paying tribute to Kevin in the studio are singer and actress Toyah Willcox, while comedy actor Norman Wisdom send a recorded message.