This clip from Ready Steady Cook introduces the key ingredients that made the show such a beloved fixture of early 2000s Australian daytime TV.

Two pro chefs representing the iconic Team Capsicum and Team Tomato (in this case, Alastair McLeod and Tobie Puttock) are presented with a mystery bag of ingredients chosen by everyday contestants. Part cooking show, part game show and part comedy, the format exudes chaos and charm. The good-natured atmosphere is evident here, as the chefs react to the cheap assortment of items with bafflement or determination.

Camaraderie between the host, the chefs and the contestants, who know they are creating mischief, raises the stakes while keeping the banter light. Once host Nick Stratford yells ‘Ready ... Steady ... Cook!’, the chefs have 20 minutes to cook a meal. The clip reveals the thrill of participation and openness, with the ingredient shoppers stepping down from the audience to meet the chefs. Audience members are invited to vote with red or green cards, adding to the sense of fun.

Known for its fast pace and lively spirit, the series aired on Network Ten and was later hosted by Peter Everett and then Colin Lane. With its accessible recipes and Aussie humour, Ready Steady Cook made cooking feel achievable and entertaining, long before social media made viral meals trendy.