National TREASURES

AINSLEY HARRIOTT on overseeing an al fresco cooking contest at a trio of historic houses

- HANNAH DAVIES

AINSLEY'S NATIONAL TRUST COOK OFF NEW SAT, 11.40AM, ITV1 COOKERY

Ainsley Harriott is delighted to be serving up a brandnew culinary competition that will showcase recipes and ideas inspired by the great outdoors.

Over the course of the next 10 weeks, ITV1's Ainsley's National Trust Cook Off will see the popular star welcome different chef friends to three of the country's finest historic homes, where he will challenge them to create unique al fresco dishes using ingredients plucked straight from the estates' glorious walled kitchen gardens and glasshouses.

Ainsley is at the helm of proceedings, but it's down to the volunteers at each property to pick their favourite savoury dish, while Ainsley gets to choose which chef's dessert is made!

Here, Ainsley, 67, tells TV Times what's on the menu...

How would you describe this show, Ainsley?

Despite the unpredictable British weather, we all love a chance to fire up the barbecue and enjoy a bit of outdoor cooking, and the series is a real celebration of this.

I'm joined by some fantastic guest chefs for a friendly al fresco cooking competition. You'll see them rustling up dishes using the fresh, seasonal produce from the National Trust kitchen gardens, and it's a great chance for viewers to pick up some barbecue tips and tasty recipes.

Sounds lovely! Tell us more...

It shows the beauty of our National Trust homes and their grounds- especially the walled gardens and their wonderful produce. The staff, many of whom are volunteers, are amazingly knowledgeable. You'll also be able to pick up some great gardening tips. Here's one to be going on with: Put cardboard down on top of your soil and then put more soil over the top. Over time, the cardboard breaks down and acts as a mulch, quashing the weeds and enriching the soil for amazing produce to be grown!