Gordon James Ramsay (/ˈræmzi/RAM-zee; born(1966-11-08)8 November 1966) is a Britishcelebrity chef,restaurateur, television presenter, and writer. His restaurant group,Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, was founded in 1997 and has been awarded 17Michelin stars overall and currently holds eight.[2][3][4][5] His signature restaurant,Restaurant Gordon Ramsay inChelsea, London, which he founded, has held three Michelin stars since 2001 and is currently run by chef Matt Abé.[6][7] After rising to fame on the British television miniseriesBoiling Point in 1999, Ramsay became one of the best-known and most influential chefs in the world.[8][9]
Ramsay's media persona is defined by his fiery temper, aggressive behaviour, strict demeanour, and frequent use ofprofanity, while making blunt, critical, and controversial comments, including insults and sardonic wisecracks about contestants and their cooking abilities. He is known for presenting television programmes about competitive cookery and food, such as the British seriesHell's Kitchen (2004),Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares (2004–2009, 2014), andThe F Word (2005–2010), withKitchen Nightmares winning the2005 British Academy Television Award forBest Feature, and the American versions ofHell's Kitchen (2005–present),Kitchen Nightmares (2007–present),MasterChef (2010–present), andMasterChef Junior (2013–present), as well asHotel Hell (2012–2016),Gordon Behind Bars (2012),Gordon Ramsay's 24 Hours to Hell and Back (2018–2020), andNext Level Chef (2022–present).
Ramsay was appointed anOBE byQueen Elizabeth II in the2006 New Year Honours list for services to the hospitality industry. He was named the top chef in the UK at the 2000Catey Awards, and in July 2006 he won the Catey for Independent Restaurateur of the Year, becoming the third person to win three Catey Awards.Forbes listed his 2020 earnings at US $70 million and ranked him at No.19 onits list of the highest-earning celebrities.[10]
Gordon James Ramsay was born inJohnstone, Scotland, on 8 November 1966,[11][12] the son of Helen (née Cosgrove), a nurse,[13][14] and Gordon James Sr., who worked as a swimming pool manager, welder, and shopkeeper.[13] He has an older sister, a younger brother,[15] and a younger sister. When he was nine years old, he moved with his family to England and grew up in the Bishopton area ofStratford-upon-Avon.[12] He has described his early life as "hopelessly itinerant" and said his family moved constantly owing to the aspirations and failures of his father, who was an occasionally violent alcoholic; Ramsay described him as a "hard-drinking womaniser".[13] In his autobiography, he revealed that Gordon James Sr.abused and neglected his children and his wife.[14][16] He worked as a pot washer in a local Indian restaurant where his sister was a waitress.[17] He had hoped to become afootballer and was first chosen to play under-14 football at the age of 12, but his early footballing career was marked by injuries; after a serious knee injury, he was forced to give it up.[14] At the age of 16, he moved out of the family home and into a flat inBanbury.[18]
Ramsay's interest in cooking began in his teenage years; rather than be known as "the football player with the gammy knee",[14] he decided to pay more serious attention to his culinary education at age 19. Ramsay enrolled atNorth Oxfordshire Technical College, sponsored by theRotarians, to studyhotel management. He described his decision to enter catering college as "a complete accident".[19]
In the mid-1980s, Ramsay worked as acommis chef at the Wroxton House Hotel. He ran the kitchen and 60-seat dining room at the Wickham Arms until he quit after having sex with the owner's wife.[20] Ramsay then moved to London, where he worked in a series of restaurants until being inspired to work forMarco Pierre White atHarveys.[14]
After working at Harveys for two years and ten months, Ramsay, tired of "the rages and the bullying and violence", decided that the way to further advance his career was to studyFrench cuisine. White discouraged Ramsay from taking a job in Paris, instead encouraging him to work forAlbert Roux atLe Gavroche inMayfair. Ramsay decided to take his advice, and there, Ramsay met Jean-Claude Breton, who later became hismaître d'hôtel at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. After Ramsay worked at Le Gavroche for a year, Roux invited him to work with him at Hotel Diva, a ski resort in theFrench Alps, as his number two. From there, a 23-year-old Ramsay moved to Paris to work withGuy Savoy andJoël Robuchon, bothMichelin-starred chefs. He continued his training in France for three years, before giving in to the physical and mental stress of the kitchens and taking a year to work as apersonal chef on the private yachtIdlewild, based inBermuda.[14] The role on the boat saw him travel toSicily andSardinia, Italy, and learn aboutItalian cuisine.[21]
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Upon his return to London in 1993, Ramsay was offered the position of head chef, under chef-patronPierre Koffmann, at the three-Michelin-starredLa Tante Claire inChelsea. Shortly thereafter, Marco Pierre White reentered his life, offering to set him up with a head chef position and 10% share in the Rossmore, owned by White's business partners. The restaurant was renamedAubergine and won its first Michelin star 14 months later. In 1997, Aubergine won its second Michelin star. A dispute with Ramsay's business owners, who wanted to turn Aubergine into a chain, and Ramsay's dream of running his own restaurant led to his leaving the partnership in July 1998.[22][23] He has described the decision to set out on his own as "the most important day of my entire cooking career; the most important decision of my life."[24]
In 1998, Ramsay opened his own restaurant in Chelsea,Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, with the help of his father-in-law, Chris Hutcheson, and his former colleagues at Aubergine.[25] The restaurant gained its third Michelin star in 2001, making Ramsay the first Scot to achieve that feat.[26] In 2011,The Good Food Guide named Restaurant Gordon Ramsay the second best restaurant in the UK, behindThe Fat Duck inBray, Berkshire.[27]
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After establishing his first restaurant, Ramsay's empire expanded rapidly. He next openedPétrus, thenAmaryllis inGlasgow (which he was later forced to close), and later Gordon Ramsay atClaridge's. He hired his friend andmaître d'hôtelJean-Philippe Susilovic, who works at Pétrus and also appears on Ramsay's US television programmeHell's Kitchen. Restaurants at theDubai Creek andConnaught hotels followed, the latter branded with his protegeeAngela Hartnett's name. Ramsay has opened restaurants outside the UK, beginning withVerre inDubai. Two restaurants, Gordon Ramsay at Conrad Tokyo and Cerise by Gordon Ramsay, both opened inTokyo in 2005. In November 2006, Gordon Ramsay at the London opened in New York City,[28] winning top newcomer in the city's covetedZagat Survey, despite mixed reviews from professional critics.[29]
In 2007, Ramsay opened his first restaurant inIreland, Gordon Ramsay at Powerscourt, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Powerscourt,County Wicklow.[30] This restaurant closed in 2013. In May 2008, he opened his first restaurant in the Western US, in The London West Hollywood Hotel (formerly the Bel-Air Hotel) on theSunset Strip inLos Angeles. The contract expired in 2015, closing the restaurant.[31]
On 9 August 2011, Ramsay opened his first Canadian restaurant, Laurier Gordon Ramsay (at the former Rotisserie Laurier BBQ) inMontreal.[32] In February 2012, Danny Lavy, the owner of the restaurant, announced the restaurant was disassociating itself from Ramsay, citing a lack of involvement and understanding on Ramsay's part.[33] The restaurant closed in 2013.[34]
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, located at Royal Hospital Road, London, was voted Top Restaurant in the UK in the LondonZagat Survey in 2001 and was awarded its thirdMichelin star.[35] He was appointedOfficer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) byQueen Elizabeth II in the2006 New Year Honours list for services to the hospitality industry, but almost missed the award ceremony when his plane was delayed.[36]
In July 2006, Ramsay won the Catey award for "Independent Restaurateur of the Year," becoming only the third person to have won threeCatey awards. Ramsay's two previousCatey awards were in 1995 (Newcomer of the Year) and 2000 (Chef of the Year). The other two triple-winners areMichel Roux and Jacquie Pern.[37] In September 2006, he was named as the most influential person in the UKhospitality industry in the annual Caterersearch 100 list, published byCaterer and Hotelkeeper magazine. He overtookJamie Oliver, who had been top of the list in 2005.[38] Also in 2006, Ramsay was nominated as a candidate forRector of the University of St Andrews, but lost at the polls toSimon Pepper.[39]
Ramsay's flagship restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, was voted London's top restaurant inHarden's for eight years, but in 2008 was placed below Pétrus, a restaurant run by former protégé Marcus Wareing.[40] In January 2013, Ramsay was inducted into the Culinary Hall of Fame.[41]
On 14 June 2017, Ramsay set a newGuinness World Record for the 'Fastest time to fillet a 10 lb fish', achieving the record in one minute and five seconds.[42] On 16 August 2017, Ramsay set a 'Guinness World Record for the Longest Pasta Sheet Rolled in 60 Seconds', which measured 1.45 metres.[43] In June 2022, he was recognised by the International Hospitality Institute as one of the 100 Most Powerful People in Global Hospitality.[44][45] On 11 May 2023, Ramsay along withNick DiGiovanni set the Guinness World Record for the largestBeef Wellington. It came in at a weight of 25.76 kg (56.79 lb).[46] It also measured 2 ft 5 inches long by 13 inches wide and 8 inches tall.[46]
All of Ramsay's business interests (restaurants, media, consultancy) are held in the company Gordon Ramsay Holdings Limited, which was run in partnership with his father-in-law, Chris Hutcheson, and incorporated on 29 October 1997.[47] Ramsay owns a 69% stake, valued at £67 million in 2007.[48] Whereas previous ventures acted as a combined consultant/brand, in November 2006 Ramsay announced plans to create three restaurants in the United States. These opened in 2006/2007 at the London Hotel inManhattan, in October 2006,[28] the Cielo inBoca Raton, Florida, and at the London Hotel inWest Hollywood, California. Ramsay acts as a consultant to numerous catering organisations. In 2005 he was recruited bySingapore Airlines as one of its "International Culinary Panel" consultants.[49]
In late 2006, Gordon Ramsay Holdings purchased three London pubs, which were converted intogastropubs. These are: The Narrow inLimehouse, which opened in March 2007, the Devonshire in Chiswick, which opened in October 2007 andThe Warrington inMaida Vale, which opened in February 2008. Both The Devonshire and The Warrington were sold in 2011.[50] In May 2008, it was confirmed that Ramsay's protege of 15 years,Marcus Wareing, was going solo, having opened and operated Pétrus at The Berkeley Hotel on behalf of Gordon Ramsay Holdings since 2003.[51] With the name Pétrus owned by Gordon Ramsay Holdings, industry sources suggested it was likely to transfer to another restaurant in the group with the formerLa Noisette site identified as the most likely.[52] In April 2010,Jason Atherton, executive chef of Maze restaurants worldwide, resigned to open his own venue inMayfair.[53]
On 19 October 2010, the company Gordon Ramsay Holdings Limited announced that Chris Hutcheson had left his position as CEO. Shortly afterwards, Ramsay released a letter to the press describing how he had unravelled the "manipulative" Hutcheson's "complex life" after having had him followed by a private detective. His father-in-law's "away days," wrote Ramsay, "were rarely what I thought they were." Company accounts show Hutcheson borrowed up to £1.5 million from Gordon Ramsay Holdings, though Hutcheson says he reported the borrowings to the company and paid the money back. Hutcheson said he had been "vaporised" and subjected to a "public hanging" by Ramsay, whom he described as a friendless egotist.[54] In April 2017, Hutcheson pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to hack into the computers of Gordon Ramsay Holdings Limited.[55]
In October 2012, Ramsay openedThe Fat Cow in Los Angeles at The Grove, a shopping area that is also popular with tourists.[56] Ramsay explained his intention for the Fat Cow in a press release to signify the opening of the venue: "The concept for The Fat Cow came from my desire to have a neighbourhood restaurant that you could go to all the time to just relax and enjoy a terrific meal."[57] The Fat Cow closed in 2014 amid legal issues.[58] That year also saw the opening of Gordon Ramsay Steak in Las Vegas. The steakhouse concept has since expanded to other locations including the Horseshoe CasinoLake Charles, LA;[59] Atlantic City,[60] and Baltimore,[61] with an announced location due in Vancouver in 2024.[62]
In partnership with footballerDavid Beckham, Ramsay opened the Union Street Café in theSouthwark district of London, UK in September 2013. The Italian cuisine of the Union Street Café, with a menu that revolved on a daily basis, was overseen by Chef Davide Degiovanni.[63][64] The Union Street Café's location in Southwark was taken over in 2020–21 by two other Gordon Ramsay restaurants: Street Pizza, and Bread Street Kitchen & Bar.[64] In December 2012, the Las Vegas opening of Gordon Ramsay Burger occurred.[65] Other locations of the gourmet hamburger dining establishment would open up in the 2020s, Notably in Chicago,[66] Boston,[67] Seoul,[68] and atHarrods Department Store in London.[69]
In October 2013, the Gordon Ramsay at The London restaurant in New York lost its two Michelin stars owing to issues encountered by the Michelin reviewers. The guide's director Michael Ellis stated that he was served "some very erratic meals" and also experienced "issues with consistency." The loss followed the closure of another of Ramsay's restaurants, Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's, in June 2013.[70] In January 2018, Ramsay opened his first location ofGordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen restaurants, based on the television show. After that site opened on theLas Vegas Strip, six other locations have either been opened or announced, with one in Dubai and the others in the United States.[71]
On 17 April 2018, Ramsay's firstStreet Pizza opened, situated in the downstairs area of hisOne New ChangeBread Street Kitchen offering "bottomless" pizza.[72] The second "Street Pizza" was opened at the chef'sYork and Albany restaurant, with further locations opening elsewhere later on in London, Dubai, and the USA.[73] On 26 June 2019, Chloe Sorvino fromForbes magazine reported that Ramsay had struck a$100 million deal withLion Capital, a private equity firm headquartered in London. Together they formed a subsidiary of the Gordon Ramsay Restaurant group, with Ramsay and Lion each taking 50% ownership, naming it Gordon Ramsay North America (GRNA), and originally intended to open 100 restaurants in the USA by 2024.[74] Those plans were slowed down by theCOVID-19 pandemic: in December 2021 GRNA CEO Norman Abdallah stated in a new interview that their updated strategy was to open 75 new company-owned locations across the United States between 2022 and 2026.[75]
On 24 March 2020, Ramsay laid off more than 500 staff in the UK after several of Ramsay's restaurants closed temporarily due to theCOVID-19 lockdowns.[76] Ramsay, whose personal net income was estimated to be US$63 million in 2019 byForbes,[77] was criticised for the lay-offs.[78][79]
On 3 December 2020, Ramsay's firstStreet Burger opened, in the St. Paul's area of London.[64] In March 2021, Ramsay launched his own brand of California wines; produced in collaboration with Master Sommelier Chris Miller and International Wine Expert Nick Dumergue at Seabold Cellars inMonterey, California.[80] The Gordon Ramsay Academy, a cookery school, opened inWoking,Surrey, in September 2021.[81]
On 11 October 2023, Ramsay opened his first restaurant inMacao,Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill, at the newThe Londoner Macao hotel andcasino (formerly theSands Cotai Central).[82]
The Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill Philippines opened inNewport World Resorts in August 2024.[83]
On 17 April 2009, it was revealed that one of Ramsay's restaurants, Foxtrot Oscar in London'sChelsea area, used pre-prepared food that was heated up and sold with mark-ups of up to 586%. It was also revealed that three of hisgastropubs in London did the same thing. A spokeswoman for Ramsay said, "Gordon Ramsay chefs prepare components of dishes devised and produced to the highest Gordon Ramsay standards. These are supplied to those kitchens with limited cooking space such as Foxtrot Oscar and Gordon Ramsay's highly acclaimed pubs, including the Narrow. These are sealed and transported daily in refrigerated vans and all menu dishes are then cooked in the individual kitchens. This is only for the supply of Foxtrot Oscar and the three pubs and allows each establishment to control the consistency and the quality of the food served."[84][85] Reflecting on the controversy in 2010, Ramsay was unapologetic: "When I was working at the Gavroche all those years ago, the duck terrine wasn't made there. It was made outside, then brought to the restaurant wrapped in plastic. This is standard practice. What on earth was the fuss about?"[86]
Ramsay's first documented role in television was in twofly-on-the-kitchen-wall documentaries:Boiling Point (1999) andBeyond Boiling Point (2000), but he had appeared previously as a judge on a MasterChef-like series for young catering students in 1997, with his then restaurant partner, where he was seen bullying the young man that had won the chance to spend a week working in Ramsay's restaurant. Ramsay appeared on series three ofFaking It in 2001, helping the prospective chef, a burger flipper named Ed Devlin, learn the trade. This episode won the 2001BAFTA for "BestFactual TV Moment."[87][88]
In 2004, Ramsay appeared in two British television series.Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares aired onChannel 4 and saw the chef troubleshooting failing restaurants over one week. This series ran its fifth series in 2007.Hell's Kitchen, a reality show which aired onITV1, saw Ramsay attempt to train ten Britishcelebrities to be chefs, as they ran a restaurant onBrick Lane in theEast End of London, which opened to the public for the two-week duration of the show. Although he was the creator ofHell's Kitchen, Ramsay only starred in the first series, as he signed a four-year contract with Channel 4, ruling out any possibility of him appearing on future episodes of the ITV-produced show.[89]
In May 2005, theFox network introduced Ramsay to American audiences in anAmerican version ofHell's Kitchen produced by Granada Entertainment and A. Smith & Co. The show follows a similar premise to the original British series, showcasing Ramsay's perfectionism and infamously short temper. Ramsay had also hosted an American version ofKitchen Nightmares, which premiered on Fox on 19 September 2007. On 23 June 2014, Ramsay announced he was ending the series.[90] In June 2018,Gordon Ramsay's 24 Hours to Hell and Back, a new series with a premise much likeKitchen Nightmares but a shorter timeline, premiered on Fox.[91]
Ramsay has presented five series of a food-based magazine programme titledThe F Word; it launched on Channel 4 on 27 October 2005. The show is organised around several key recurring features, notably a brigade competition, a guest cook competition, a food-related investigative report, and a series-long project of raising animals to be served in the finale. The guest cook (usually a celebrity) prepares a dish of their own choosing and places it in competition against a similar dish submitted by Ramsay. The dishes are judged by diners who are unaware of who cooked which dish and, if the guest wins (as they have on numerous occasions), their dish is served at Ramsay's restaurant. The American version premiered on 31 May 2017 on Fox.[92]
In July 2006, Channel 4 announced that it had re-signed Ramsay to an exclusive four-year deal at the network, running until July 2011.[94] The series became one of the highest rated shows aired on Channel 4 each week.[95] During one episode ofThe F Word, Ramsay cooked inDoncaster Prison in Marshgate for its inmates. The chef was so impressed by the speed at which a prisoner, Kieron Tarff, chopped vegetables that he offered him a job at his restaurant following his release in 2007.[96]
In 2010, Ramsay served as a producer and judge on theAmerican version ofMasterChef.[97] (A second season of the show began in June 2011, again starring Ramsay.) On that same show, he was joined by culinary judgesGraham Elliot andJoe Bastianich. He starred in a travelogue about his visit toIndia,Gordon's Great Escape followed by a series set in Asia. He hosted the seriesRamsay's Best Restaurant, which was the first British series by Ramsay's own production company, One Potato Two Potato.
Ramsay joined several other celebrity chefs in the 2010 series,The Big Fish Fight, where he, along with fellow chefJamie Oliver and a few others, spent time on atrawler boat to raise awareness about the discarding of hundreds of thousands of sea fish. In March 2012, Fox announced the coming of Ramsay's fourth series for the Fox network,Hotel Hell;[98] the series is similar toKitchen Nightmares, except that it focuses on struggling hotels, motels, and other lodging establishments in the United States.[99] Originally slated for debut 6 April 2012[100] and 4 June 2012,[101] the series debuted 13 August 2012.[102] In August 2021, he signed a deal with Fox.[103]
In September 2005, Ramsay, along with Jamie Oliver,Heston Blumenthal,Wolfgang Puck, andSanjeev Kapoor, were featured inCNN International'sQuest, in whichRichard Quest stepped into the shoes of celebrity chefs.[104] In 2006 and 2008, Ramsay took part in a television series forITV, following the lead-up toSoccer Aid, a celebrity charity football match, in which he played only the first half, nursing an injury picked up in training. Ramsay captained the Rest of the World XI against an England XI captained byRobbie Williams.
During his second appearance on theBBC'sTop Gear, he stated that his current cars were aFerrari F430 and aRange Rover Sport Supercharged, the latter replacing theBentley Continental GT he previously owned. On 14 May 2006, he appeared onTop Gear in the "Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car" segment. Ramsay held the top spot onTop Gear's celebrity leader board, with a lap time of 1:46.38 until overtaken bySimon Cowell.[105]
Ramsay starred in part of aNational Blood Service "Give Blood" television advertisement in England, in which he said that he would have died from a rupturedspleen had it not have been for another person's blood donation.[106] On 13 October 2006, he was guest host on the first episode of the BBC's comedy panel showHave I Got News for You's 32nd series. On 27 December 2007, Ramsay appeared in theExtras Christmas special.[107]
In January 2008, Ramsay also guest featured on Channel 4'sBig Brother: Celebrity Hijack as theBig Brother housemates took part in hisCookalong Live television show. Gordon spoke directly to theBig Brother House via the house plasma screens, regularly checking on the progress of the contestants.[108] In 2011, during the results show ofAmerican Idol, footage of the top 5 contestants taking on a challenge of cooking with Gordon Ramsay was shown. The Top 5 were given 10 minutes to make the bestomelettes.[109]
In November 2011, Ramsay appeared on theSimpsons episode "The Food Wife". In February 2017, Ramsay made a guest appearance onNew Girl episode "Operation: Bobcat". Ramsay made an appearance on 11 December 2017 broadcast ofPlease Take Care of My Refrigerator, a South Korean reality television show onJTBC.[110] In November, Ramsay drew criticism for appearing as a brand ambassador for the mass-produced Korean beerCass; Ramsay defended it as unpretentious and affordable.[111] Ramsay voices the character Bolton Gramercy inBig Hero 6: The Series. The character, a chef with a fiery temper, is loosely based on him.[112]
In 1998, following Ramsay's resignation from the Aubergine, A-Z restaurants sued him for £1 million citing lost revenue and breach of contract, but eventually settled out of court.[113] In June 2006, Ramsay won aHigh Court case against theLondon Evening Standard newspaper, in whichVictor Lewis Smith had alleged, after reports from previous owner Sue Ray, that scenes and the general condition of Bonaparte's had been faked forRamsay's Kitchen Nightmares. Ramsay was awarded £75,000 plus costs.[114] Ramsay said at the time: "I won't let people write anything they want to about me. We have never done anything in a cynical fake way."[114]
In June 2007, Ramsay's show was sued by the terminated general manager (Martin Hyde) of the New York restaurant Purnima (Dillon's), who also alleged fakery. Hyde had quit his position at the restaurant during the show, when Ramsay suggested that the owner hire top Indian chefVikas Khanna as the consultant chef for Purnima. The lawsuit alleged that "unknown to the viewing audience, some or all ofKitchen Nightmares are fake and the so-called 'problems uncovered and solved' by Ramsay are, for the most part, created by Ramsay and his staff for the purpose of making it appear that Ramsay is improving the restaurant."[115] In August 2007, the case was dismissed voluntarily and ordered intoarbitration as stipulated in their contract.[116] On 21 March 2012, Ramsay filed a $2.7 million lawsuit against his former partners of his restaurant inMontreal, Quebec, the Laurier Gordon Ramsay (since renamed The Laurier 1936), over lost licensing fees and defamatory statements made against him.[117][118] On 16 April 2013, just over a year later, Laurier 1936 closed.[119]
In January 2014, Ramsay lost a high court case in relation to the York & Albany pub. Ramsay claimed that his father-in-law had misused a "ghost writing" machine to make Ramsay a personal guarantor for the £640,000 annual rent of that pub. Ramsay tried to nullify the 25-year lease, signed in 2007. The judge said that Ramsay had known about the guarantee beforehand but that he had total trust in his father-in-law, Christopher Hutcheson, and left the deal to him. The judge dismissed the case and ordered Ramsay to pay all legal costs and outstanding monies, in total more than one million pounds.[120] In May 2022, A New York Superior Court judge ended an eight-year legal battle between Gordon Ramsay and his former business partner at The Fat Cow Gordon Ramsay restaurant in Los Angeles, Rowan Seibel, ruling that Gordon Ramsay should be paid $4.5 million (£3.6 million) in damages and court fee coverage.[121]
Ramsay's reputation is built upon his goal of culinary perfection, which is associated with winning three Michelin stars. His mentor,Marco Pierre White, noted that he is highly competitive.[122][123] Since the airing ofBoiling Point, which followed Ramsay's quest of earning three Michelin stars, Ramsay has also become infamous for his fiery temper and use of expletives.[124] Ramsay once famously ejected food criticA. A. Gill, whose dining companion wasJoan Collins, from his restaurant, leading Gill to state that "Ramsay is a wonderful chef, just a really second-rate human being."[26] Ramsay stated in his autobiography that he did not mind if Gill insulted his food, but would not tolerate a personal insult. Ramsay has also had confrontations with his kitchen staff, including one incident that resulted in thepastry chef calling the police.[125] A 2005 interview reported Ramsay had retained 85% of his staff since 1993.[126] Ramsay attributes his management style to the influence of previous mentors, notably chefs Marco Pierre White andGuy Savoy, and his father-in-law, Chris Hutcheson.[127]
Ramsay's ferocious temper has contributed to his media appeal in both the United Kingdom and the United States, where his programmes are produced.[128][129]MSN Careers featured an article about television's worst bosses, which listed Ramsay as the only non-fictional boss. They cited his frequent loss of his temper and his harsh critiques, notably when he picks on something other than cooking ability, such as calling someone a "chunky monkey".[130] Although Ramsay often mocks the French, one of his most trusted maîtres d'hôtel, Jean-Baptiste Requien (Royal Hospital Road), is French,[131] and Ramsay also speaks fluent French from his time inParis.[132] As of 2023, one of his final goals as a chef and restaurateur is to earn the third Michelin Star forLe Pressoir d'Argent, a French restaurant in France.[133]
In November 2007, Ramsay installed 29-year-oldClare Smyth as head chef at his three-Michelin-starred flagship restaurant on Royal Hospital Road.[134] Smyth is the second high-profile appointment of a female chef by Ramsay, afterAngela Hartnett. Smyth was the first three-Michelin-starred woman; she moved on to start her own restaurant in 2017. Ramsay has been criticised for his frequent use of strong language on his programmes, first by British celebrity cookDelia Smith,[135] then, in relation toRamsay's Kitchen Nightmares, byAustralian SenatorCory Bernardi, who introduced a motion in the Senate to investigate broadcast standards as a result.[136] In his autobiography, Ramsay himself said he was unaware of the extent of his swearing until he watched an episode ofBoiling Point. While he stated he did not have a problem with it, "Mum was appalled".
On 5 June 2009, Ramsay started trading insults with AustralianA Current Affair journalistTracy Grimshaw. The day after his interview, he was a guest feature at theMelbourne Food and Wine festival. While doing his display, he allegedly insulted Grimshaw and made insinuations about her sexuality. Grimshaw responded the next day, calling Ramsay an "arrogant, narcissist bully."[137][138] Ramsay eventually apologised, stating that his behaviour "was a joke".[139][140]TV Guide included him in their 2013 list of The 60 Nastiest Villains of All Time.[141] Ramsay has also acted as a judge onMasterChef Junior since 2013; in contrast to his interaction with adults, Ramsay states that he takes a more sensitive attitude when working with the underage contestants.[142]
Prior to the late 2000s, Ramsay had expressed a dislike forvegetarianism andveganism. In the first episode of the second series ofRamsay's Kitchen Nightmares (2005), he offered pizza to a vegetarian and said it was vegetarian. After he took a bite, Ramsay said that it contained ham, laughing and asked if he wanted more. In 2003, when asked for his most recent lie, he said "To a table of vegetarians who had artichoke soup. I told them it was made with vegetable stock when it was chicken stock."[143][144] In a 2007 interview, he joked: "My biggest nightmare would be if the kids ever came up to me and said 'Dad, I'm a vegetarian.' Then I would sit them on the fence and electrocute them."[145] In 2016, when asked on Twitter whether he was allergic to anything, he wrote "Vegans" and followed up with: "It's a joke jack it's not vegans! It's vegetarians".[146]
In 2006, on the second series ofThe F Word, Ramsay showed a softened stance on vegetarianism after learning aboutintensive pig farming practices, includingcastration andtail docking, while letting two young family piglets live in an intensive farm. On the programme, Ramsay commented: "It's enough to make anyone turn fucking vegetarian, for God's sake. And I've always sort of knocked vegetarians and vegans for missing out on the most amazing flavour you can get from meat. But you can see why so many people change instantly".[147] In 2019, he launched a vegan menu at his restaurants forVeganuary,[148] and introduced more vegan items to his restaurants, such as a vegan roast.[149] In 2022, on an episode ofMaster Chef: Back to Win, Ramsay said, "After all these years, I can finally admit, that I actually love vegan food."[150]
He was a head judge ofMasterChef USA whenNick DiGiovanni came third place in season 10. On 11 May 2023, DiGiovanni, alongside Gordon Ramsay, broke the Guinness World Record for the largestbeef Wellington, which weighed 25.76 kilograms (56.79 pounds). This was DiGiovanni's 8thGuinness World Record and was broken in partnership with celebrity chefs: Max the Meat Guy, Guga Foods and The Golden Balance.[151]
Ramsay said in 2016 that he exercised semi-competitively for his general well-being. He said he had seen overweight and unfit chefs collapse or become unable to move quickly around the kitchen. He often competes inIronman events, marathons, and triathlons. Ramsay also eats very little per meal and prefers to graze throughout the day, partly due to the habit he built up as a judge and chef and also because of his busy schedule.[152][153] He has ablack belt inkarate.[154] Ramsay toldJoe Wicks thatcycling had improved his physical and mental health, especially during theCOVID-19 pandemic.[155]
Ramsay marriedTana Hutcheson, aMontessori-trained schoolteacher, in 1996.[156] They divide their time betweenLos Angeles and theWandsworth Common area ofLondon,[157] and have six children.[1]Tilly Ramsay is a television chef and presenter, Megan works with theMetropolitan Police as of 2023, Jack is aRoyal Marinescommando, and Holly is a fashion designer and blogger.[158]
Until 2010, Ramsay's father-in-law, Chris Hutcheson, was responsible for the business operations of Ramsay's restaurant empire. On 7 June 2017, Hutcheson was jailed for six months for conspiring to hack a computer system relating to the Ramsays' business interests. Hutcheson was accused, along with his sons, of accessing company systems almost 2,000 times between 23 October 2010 and 31 March 2011.[159]
Ramsay has three houses inCornwall that are collectively worth an estimated £11 million: a £4 million mansion inTrebetherick, a £4.4 million property inRock, and a £2 millionGrade II listed property inFowey.[160] In August 2020, the Fowey property was put on sale for £2.75 million.[161]
Ramsay is a car enthusiast with a love forFerrari. He maintains a sizeable car collection in the UK which includes the following:[162]
Ramsay displayed his collection in a video[164] posted to hisYouTube channel filmed atBrands Hatch.
Ramsay has been involved in a series of charitable events and organisations. He fulfilled his aim of finishing 10 marathons in 10 years by running his 10th consecutiveLondon Marathon on 26 April 2009, sponsoring the Scottish Spina Bifida Association.[165] Ramsay has been Honorary Patron of the Scottish Spina Bifida Association since 2004, and in 2005 he launched The Gordon Ramsay "Buy a Brick" appeal to help the organisation raise funds to build a new Family Support Centre and Head Office in Glasgow. In 2006, he launched a new appeal to help the charity raise the funds required to continue to run the support centre: "What's your favourite 'F' Word? Gordon's is Fundraising." In November 2007, Ramsay hosted a St Andrew's Day Gala Dinner atStirling Castle in aid of the Association and has now made this fundraising Gala Dinner an annual event.[166]
During March 2005, Ramsay teamed up with Indian chefMadhur Jaffrey to help theVSO, aninternational developmentcharity group, to support itsSpice Up Your Life event. The charity hoped to raise £100,000 for VSO's work inHIV and AIDS in India.[167] The Ramsays were the first couple to become ambassadors for the women's charityWomen's Aid in 2005. The couple ran the Flora Families marathon[168] to support Women's Aid.[169] In 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014, Ramsay took part in the biennial charity eventSoccer Aid to raise money forUNICEF. On 6 June 2010 he played for the Rest of the World team alongside former professional footballersZinedine Zidane andLuís Figo as well as Hollywood actorsWoody Harrelson,Mike Myers, andMichael Sheen.[170] The match took place atOld Trafford in Manchester and was won by the Rest of the World for the first time, the winning penalty scored by Harrelson in the shoot-out.[170] On 28 August 2020, the media reported that Ramsay and his wife Tana had become ambassadors forCornwall Air Ambulance.[171]
In 2008, Ramsay was inIceland'sWestman Islands filming a puffin hunting segment when he lost his footing and fell during a descent off an 85-metre (279 ft) cliff, landing in the icy water below. He was able to swim back up to the surface of the water by removing his heavy boots and waterproof clothing. His film crew, who rescued him by throwing him a rope, reported that he was submerged for at least 45 seconds. He later recalled, "I thought I was a goner. I was panicking and my lungs were filling with water. When I got to the top after getting my boots off, I was dazed and my head was totally massive."[172]
In June 2024, Ramsay was involved in a bicycle accident in theUS state ofConnecticut that left bruising on the entirety of his leftabdomen. He later remarked on social media that his helmet saved his life, and emphasised the importance of wearing a helmet whilst cycling.[173]
On 23 March 2022 in an interview forBBC Radio 2, Ramsay remarked, "Trust me I absolutely loveCornwall, it's just theCornish I can't stand." This was criticised by the leader of the political partyMebyon Kernow,Dick Cole. Ramsay's spokesman said the statement was tongue-in-cheek."[174][175]
Ramsay playedfootball and was first chosen to play under-14 football at age 12. He was chosen to play forWarwickshire. His footballing career was marked by injuries, causing him to remark later in life, "Perhaps I was doomed when it came to football."[14] In mid-1984, Ramsay had a trial withRangers, the club he supported as a boy. He seriously injured his knee, smashing the cartilage during training.[176] Ramsay has claimed to have played two first-team games for Rangers.[177] According to his autobiography, Ramsay played "a couple of non-league matches as a trialist" for Rangers[178] and was signed by the club at the age of 15.[179] Allan Cairns, a photographer who took a picture of Ramsay playing for Rangers in September 1985, said the photo was not one of the Rangers first team but a side picked to play a testimonial match. A Rangers spokesman said: "Ramsay was a trialist in that testimonial game. He trained with us for a few months after that but then got injured."[180]
In series 4, episode 12, ofThe F Word (originally aired on 29 July 2008), Ramsay visitedIbrox, the home ground of his favourite childhood team,Rangers, and exclaimed, "Home sweet home!" He explained, "My dream came true when I was spotted in the mid-[19]80s and I joined the youth team here in Ibrox." He related that one of his fondest memories is playing alongside former Rangers and Scotland strikerAlly McCoist, who said about Ramsay: "I remember him well and the one thing that never ever will change is that he's a competitive so-and-so and wants to do and be the best that he can." Ramsay recalled that "the pain of being released on the back of an injury" was only assuaged many years later "after receiving [his] third Michelin Star", and concluded, "Without the upset at Ibrox, I would not be the chef I am today."[181]
Ramsay is a football fan and supportsRangers[182] andChelsea.[183] As a baseball fan, he follows theLos Angeles Dodgers andLos Angeles Angels. However, he feels that the game of baseball is often too long, joking that this leads to fans spending most of the time eating or sleeping which could lead to them being unhealthy.[184] Ramsay is also a fan ofFormula One, having grown up close toSilverstone Circuit and idolizing world championsAyrton Senna andNigel Mansell.[185]
In August 2025 Ramsay announced that he had undergone treatment forbasal-cell carcinoma, which had developed below his ear.[186]
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onKinnerton Street in London (April 2014)Ramsay founded his first restaurant group, Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, in 1997. He has owned and operated a number of restaurants since he first became head chef ofAubergine in 1993. He owned 25% of that restaurant, where he earned his first twoMichelin stars. Following the dismissal of protegeMarcus Wareing from sister restaurant L'Oranger, Ramsay organised a staff walkout from both restaurants and subsequently took them to open upRestaurant Gordon Ramsay, atRoyal Hospital Road, London. His self-titled restaurant went on to become his first and only three Michelin star restaurant.
Ramsay has installed a number of proteges in restaurants. BothAngela Hartnett andJason Atherton worked atVerre before moving back to London to The Connaught and Maze respectively. Atherton left to open his own restaurant, and Hartnett purchasedMurano from Ramsay in 2010. Wareing was made head chef of London-based restaurantPétrus. It went on to win two Michelin stars, but in 2008 the two chefs fell out; Wareing kept the restaurant premises and the stars, while Ramsay received rights to the name. The restaurant was renamedMarcus Wareing at the Berkeley, while in 2010 the newPétrus by Gordon Ramsay was opened.
Ramsay has launched severalHell's Kitchen-themed restaurants based on the TV show he has hosted. The firstGordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen restaurant opened in front ofCaesars Palace on theLas Vegas Strip in January 2018. Ramsay has also created other chains and individual restaurants in various countries.| Year | Title | Network | Notes/Air Dates | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002, 2006 | Top Gear | BBC Two | 22 December 2002, 14 May 2006 | [187] |
| 2004 | Hell's Kitchen | ITV | Returned for 3 more series with Gary Rhodes, John Christope-Novelli & Marco-Pierre White | |
| 2004–2009 | Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares | Channel 4 | ||
| 2005–2010 | The F Word | 27 October 2005 – 7 January 2010 | ||
| 2005–present | Hell's Kitchen | Fox | 30 May 2005 – present | [188] |
| 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 | Soccer Aid | ITV | May 2006, September 2008, June 2010, May 2012, June 2014 | [189][190][191][192][193] |
| 2007 | Extras (Christmas Special) | BBC Two | 16 December 2007 | [citation needed] |
| 2007–2014, 2023–present[194] | Kitchen Nightmares | Fox | 9 series; 113 episodes | [195] |
| 2008 | Gordon Ramsay: Cookalong Live | Channel 4 | 18 January 2008 – 12 December 2008 | [196] |
| 2009 | Gordon Ramsay: Cookalong Live US | Fox | 15 December 2009 | [197] |
| 2010 | Gordon's Great Escape | Channel 4 | Seven episodes; 18 January 2010 – 30 May 2011 | [citation needed] |
| Ramsay's Best Restaurant | 14 September 2010 – 9 November 2010 | |||
| Christmas with Gordon | December 2010 | |||
| 2010–present | MasterChef | Fox | 27 July 2010 – present | [198] |
| 2011 | The Simpsons – "The Food Wife" | 13 November 2011 | [199] | |
| 2012 | Gordon Behind Bars | Channel 4 | 26 June 2012 – 17 July 2012 | [citation needed] |
| Gordon Ramsay's Ultimate Cookery Course | 10 September 2012 | |||
| Hotel GB | 1 October 2012 – 5 October 2012 | |||
| 2012–2016 | Hotel Hell | Fox | 13 August 2012 – 26 July 2016 | [citation needed] |
| 2013 | Gordon Ramsay's Home Cooking | Channel 4 | Twenty-part series; 14 October 2013 – 8 November 2013 | [200] |
| 2013 | Phineas and Ferb | Disney Channel | Cameo as Chef (voice role) in Season 4 Episode 23 – "Thanks But No Thanks", aired 13 September 2013 | |
| 2013 & 2021 | Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway | ITV | 1 March 2013: Prank; 27 February 2021: Star Guest Announcer | [201] |
| 2013–present | MasterChef Junior | Fox | 27 September 2013 – present | [202] |
| 2014 | Ramsay's Costa del Nightmares | Channel 4 | 23 September 2014 | |
| Masterchef Poland | TVN | 19 October 2014 | [203] | |
| 2015–2019 | Matilda and the Ramsay Bunch | CBBC | 14 April 2015 – 26 July 2019Gordon is also an executive producer. | [204] |
| 2017 | The F Word | Fox | 1 series; 11 episodes | [205] |
| The Nightly Show | ITV | Guest presenter; five episodes | [citation needed] | |
| Culinary Genius | One series; twenty episodes; 17 April 2017 – 12 May 2017 | [206] | ||
| New Girl | Fox | Cameo as himself in Series 6, Episode 16 – "Operation: Bobcat", aired 13 July 2017 | [207] | |
| Gordon Ramsay on Cocaine | ITV | Two-part series; part one 19 October 2017 & part two 26 October 2017 | [208] | |
| Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures (previously known asMickey and the Roadster Racers) | Disney Junior | 5 November 2017.Episode: "Diner Dog Rescue" | [citation needed] | |
| Please Take Care of My Refrigerator | JTBC | 11 December 2017 | [209] | |
| 2018 | My Houzz | YouTube | 30 January 2018 – Series 2, Episode 1 | [210] |
| The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle | Amazon Prime Video | 11 May 2018 – 2 episodes | [211] | |
| MasterChef Australia | Network Ten | 27 May 2018 – 30 May 2018 | ||
| Big Hero 6: The Series | Disney Channel | Bolton Gramercy (voice role) (1 episode: Food Fight) | [citation needed] | |
| 2018–2020 | Gordon Ramsay's 24 Hours to Hell & Back | Fox | 13 June 2018 – 12 May 2020 | [212] |
| 2018–present | Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip | ITV | Series 1; 11 October 2018 & Series 2; 2 April 2020 | [213][214] |
| 2019 | Gordon, Gino & Fred: Christmas Road Trip Three Unwise Men | 23 December 2019 | [215] | |
| 2019–present | Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted | Nat Geo | Series 1; July 2019, Series 2; 7 July 2020, Series 3; 31 May 2021[216] | [217][218] |
| 2020 | MasterChef Australia | Network Ten | Gordon Ramsay Week; 13–19 April 2020 | [219] |
| Gordon, Gino and Fred: Desperately Seeking Santa | ITV | 16 December 2020 | [220][221] | |
| 2021 | Gordon Ramsay's Bank Balance | BBC One | Series one; nine episodes; 24 February 2021 – 12 March 2021. Red Nose Special: 13 March 2021 | [222][223] |
| Gordon, Gino & Fred Go Greek | ITV | Two-part series | [224] | |
| 2022 | Next Level Chef | Fox | 2 January 2022 – | [225] |
| Gordon Ramsay's Future Food Stars | BBC One | 31 March 2022 – | [226][227] | |
| Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted Showdown | National Geographic | 25 July 2022 – | [228] | |
| Gogglebox: Celebrity Special forSU2C | Channel 4 | WithTilly Ramsay; 28 October 2022 | [229] | |
| 2023–present | Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars | Fox | 24 May 2023 – | [230] |
| 2025 | Gordon Ramsay's Secret Service | 21 May 2025 – | [231] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Love's Kitchen | Himself | Cameo appearance |
| 2015 | Burnt | Chef Consultant | |
| 2017 | Smurfs: The Lost Village | Baker Smurf | Voice role |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Hell's Kitchen: The Game | Himself | Voice |
| 2016 | Restaurant Dash with Gordon Ramsay | Himself | Voice |
| 2021 | Gordon Ramsay: Chef Blast | Himself | Voice |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | MrBeast | Himself | 3 episodes: "I Built Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory" "I Didn't Eat Food For 30 Days" "$1 vs $500,000 Date" |
Since 1996, Ramsay has written 26 books. Ramsay also contributes a food-and-drink column toThe Times' Saturday magazine.
ramsay an accident, a complete accident.
A Gordon Ramsay Steak is expected to open at River Rock Casino in 2024.
85 per cent of his staff from 1993 working with him in some capacity
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