'ready steady cook' here i come - andrew

It would be a massive understatement to say I've been busy recently - it's been crazy! I've spent a few days in Thailand, where I am working on an ongoing project with a salon group; helping them to build and strengthen their brand. Unlike a lot of the work I do, this isn't straight teaching, it is more like consultation work and I am hoping to leave a lasting legacy so that they can get on with it after I finish my contract with them. I have looked at everything from the brand to their training to the way they PR themselves and how they do their photography. I've found that their technical ability is good and specific to the region, but they hadn't looked at how they can further present themselves and develop. So it's been a bit of a learning experience - for me as well as them - and they have faced some difficult decisions and challenges because changes have had to be made and lots of those were to do with the standards they set. Last week, we shot their first campaign. It was something that they had spent a lot of money on and it was great to be involved.I wasn't back in the UK for long before I was off to Paris for a shoot in conjunction with L'Oreal Professionnel. Unfortunately we got held up and I was unable to get back in time for the HABB ball. Not only would it have been a great opportunity to catch up with lots of my friends in the industry, but we were also doing a display as part of the hair show. We had already worked out exactly what we were going to do and Tracey Gallagher is like my right arm, so I trust her completely, but it was still a shame to miss out. In some ways, I feel a bit like I am a victim of my own success because I am missing a lot of stuff back home at the moment. The next thing I'll be missing will be seeing my Shiny Happy Hair products in the stores next Friday as I'm off to Australia. We're doing a tour of six cities for the launch of a new product for L'Oreal Professionnel and we're also doing some shoots for trade and consumer magazines while we are out there. Then, when I get back I'm off to Brazil for another tour. Back home, I've been on a shoot for Glamour magazine and I've squeezed in a brainstorm with Jayne and various people from the industry regarding Salon International, discussing last year's exhibition and what, if anything, could be done to make it better. As I've said, I'm going to be out of the country for a while now, but before I go I have another exciting thing to tell you about: I'm going to be filming an episode of Ready Steady Cook on Wednesday. I am as nervous as hell because I'm not the best in the kitchen and I'm going to be up against Nicky Hambleton-Jones who is super competitive! I've had to do a big interview about what I like and don't like and what I'd find challenging to cook and I'm rather hoping that they'll show me how to make Yorkshire puddings. I am fearing the worst and just hope that I'll get the audiences sympathy vote! As I said, I've got a hectic few weeks ahead, but I'll do my best to keep you up to date with what I'm up to.