Tony & Giorgio is a British food documentary series produced by and for the BBC, in which chefs Tony Allan and Giorgio Locatelli provide recipes which enable viewers to cook simple, practical, healthy food for the 21st century.
The series originally premiered in the UK on BBC Two on 9 January 2003. There are eight half-hour episodes in the series.
Tony & Giorgio premiered in South Africa on DStv's BBC Food channel on Monday 18 February 2008, at 18h00. Double episodes air each Monday from 18h00-19h00.
Repeats
Tuesdays: 06h00, 12h00
Synopsis
With over 30 years experience between them at the sharp end of restaurant cooking, Tony Allan and Giorgio Locatelli understand food, what sells and, above all, what tastes good.
In this series Tony and Giorgio answer the questions people have always wanted to ask about cooking, while serving up dishes that are stunningly simple, yet taste delicious.
Giorgio is arguably the most famous Italian chef in Britain, while Tony is one of the most influential restaurateurs in the country.
Since they started working together 12 years ago they have discovered a fresh, informal approach to eating. Their message is not to be scared, but to loosen up and make everything you eat worth eating.
They agree to disagree on everything, from truffle oil to olives and from supermarket cooking to organic food.
In addition, each programme is structured around a different concern, such as why people are scared of fish and whether we are raising a nation of children who think that fruit grows in cling film.
Episodes
Episode 1
On a trip to Italy, the pair visit a bakery where ciabatta is sold by the metre. Back in the UK, they visit the best suppliers, and dish up mushroom risotto, lamb wellington, and wild berries with frozen yoghurt.
Episode 2
Tony loves fishing, while Giorgio loathes it - but they both think the British should cook more fish. They serve up pan-fried wild salmon with balsamic vinegar, crab linguine, griddled tuna, and eels with mashed potato and mustard buerre blanc.
Episode 3
Tony and Giorgio hate to waste food. In this episode, Giorgio rustles up a panzanella for his staff - an Italian salad made with leftover bread - and Tony reveals the secret of his bread-and-butter pudding.
Episode 4
The morning after the night before, Giorgio opts for fresh zabaglione, while Tony visits a traditional greasy-spoon cafe. They spend the rest of the day cooking up treats including fish and chips, a chorizo sandwich, and Giorgio's rescue remedy - spaghetti with tuna and anchovy.
Episode 5
Tony and Giorgio meet up with ex-footballer Vinnie Jones and his gamekeeper father to compare methods of cooking pheasant - and prepare Giorgio's classic pheasant ravioli, smoked haddock and ricotta tart and roast grouse with porridge risotto.
Episode 6
Tony and Giorgio brave the English weather to prepare an outdoor meal for footballer-turned-actor, Vinnie Jones. The menu includes Italian vegetable tart, seafood skewers and peaches in red wine.
Episode 7
Tony and Giorgio demonstrate real food for kids, including minestrone soup with alphabet pasta, authentic pizza and a chocolate cake made without eggs.
Episode 8
Tony and Giorgio return to the basics - simple food, wine, and good company - in the last of the series. On the menu are red onion, parmesan and green bean salad, chicken stew with lemon and artichoke, and summer berry pudding.