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By Sierra Tishgart
Ah, Gordon Ramsay. Since the Scottish chef began invading kitchens in the eighties and living rooms in the aughts, he’s always been … offputting. But the recent 5,974-word profile in Men’s Journal reminded the world just how gross the guy can really be. Of course, this is the kind of “negative” press the chef seems to actively seek — it gives him fuel to continue to build his empire of television shows, cookbooks, and overpriced restaurants. Grub Street doesn’t begrudge Ramsay for being successful, but his success comes at the expense of manners and taste. At this point, Ramsay isn’t a chef; he’s a full-fleged reality star, one who can stir up more drama than a Real Housewife. Here’s proof: We’ve rounded up Ramsay’s most revolting actions and comments over the years, and ranked them in ascending order of offensiveness.
20. Tried to Screw April Bloomfield (2013)
He trademarked the Spotted Pig in the U.K. in an attempt to prevent April Bloomfield, Ken Friedman, and one-time rival Mario Batali from opening a location across the pond. He surrendered the trademark, but only after public pressure.
19. Disturbed London Tube Riders (1993)
A cop caught him in a Tube urinal with his head slumped on the wall. One of his comrades was peeing in the sink, and the other had his trousers around his ankles. Ramsay’s spokeswoman insisted that there was “nothing sexual” about the incident. He got charged with indecency.
18. Got Plastic Surgery to Look Less Threatening (2009)
“Simon Cowell suggested that now I’m a success in America, I should do something, so I had a filler put under the deep crevices. It hurt,” Ramsay said. Apparently, he also wanted the procedure to make him look not as threatening on television. It would’ve been cheaper to swear less.
17. Paid £30,000 for a Hair Transplant, Too (2010)
He’s not even 50, but he’s obsessed with maintaining his appearance. Is everyone around Ramsay too scared to tell him he’s not a sex symbol?
16. Possibly Cheated on His Wife, Then Gave a Way-Too-Gross Reason for Why He Wouldn’t (2008/2013)
In 2008, Sarah Symonds, author of the esteemed novel, Having an Affair? A Handbook for the Other Woman, claimed Ramsay cheated with her. He denied allegations, and recently told Men’s Journal about how his wife would react: “She’s a nut crusher. If I ever fucked up, she’d have my balls in a vise and turn them into a fucking crêpe suzette thinner than the frilliest knickers Paris Hilton’s ever worn. She’d turn my ballbag into a doily.”
15. Defended Feeding People Frozen Meals at His Restaurants (2009)
“Here [at a kitchen facility in south London] Gordon Ramsay chefs prepare components of dishes devised and produced to the highest Gordon Ramsay standards,” said Gordon’s spokeswoman, after news broke that he uses ready-made meals prepared off site at his restaurants. “These are sealed and transported daily in refrigerated vans and all menu dishes are then cooked in the individual kitchens.”
14. Hated on Frank Bruni (2007 to 2013)
Though he said he didn’t “give two fucks” about Bruni back in 2007 when the critic gave Gordon Ramsay at the London a two-star review, Ramsay has hated on him for years. The latest: Ramsay told Men’s Journal, “Frank Bruni fucked me sideways, but the fascinating thing about that, I knew he had the hots for my French maître d’. But I mean, what’s Frank Bruni doing now? Tweeting about the government? I piss myself. I wish him the very best.”
13. Screwed the Government (2010)
He failed to pay $2 million in taxes for his embattled New York restaurant. This came only three months after he got sued for not paying $41,000 in wine bills.
12. Endangered People of England (2002)
He drove his BMW the wrong way down a one-way street and failed a breathalyzer test, but somehow, didn’t have to appear in court.
11. Kicked Critic A. A. Gill and Joan Collins Out of His Restaurant (1998)
“I don’t respect him as a food critic and I don’t have to stand there and cook for him,” Ramsay wrote in an op-ed about why he gave Gill the boot (of course he had to make the incident public knowledge). Gill, however, had the last word, calling Ramsay “a wonderful chef, just a really second-rate human being.”
10. Fat-Shamed a Hell’s Kitchen Contestant (2007)
“You are one chunky monkey, aren’t you?” Ramsay spewed at Aaron, a contestant on the U.S. version of his reality show. It’s one of the many horrific things he’s said on his television series.
9. Shoved a Contestant, Caused Sprained Ankle (2004)
“It’s a disaster. A guy on set pissed me off. We got into a shoving match and fell down and did his ankle. Everyone is really pissed off with me,” he may have confided to a colleague. The details for this one are a bit dodgy.
8. Got Man Fired After Faking Kitchen Nightmares (2007)
As part of his restaurant makeover show, Ramsay faked sequences to portray restaurants in particularly bad lights. The manager of the now-closed Dillons got fired because Ramsay blamed the “difficulties” of the restaurant on him.
7. Abandoned, and Then Sued, His Montreal Restaurant (2012)
“We wish Gordon all the best, but he’s a big star and too busy to come to the restaurant,” said the restaurant’s owner, Danny Lavy, before he ended the partnership. Ramsay responded by filing a $2.7 million lawsuit for damaging his reputation.
6. Secretly Filmed Father-in-Law and His Mistress (2012)
Ramsay hired a detective to take pictures of his father-in-law (and former business partner) with his mistress through a bedroom window. Then, Ramsay threatened to make the photos public. He even texted the woman’s son to tell him about the photos. She’s now suing him for breach of privacy.
5. Suppressed Female Cooks (1999, 2001)
Ramsay thinks that women should be kept out of professional kitchens because there’s nothing less sexy than “a woman who’s had her hand up a pigeon’s arse all day.” Female cooks also don’t make great employees because “they only work three weeks a month,” “you can’t get into the staff loo,” and “how can you shout at someone who’s four months pregnant?”
4. Depicted a Journalist As a Lesbian Pig (2009)
In front of an audience of thousands, he called Tracy Grimshaw a “lesbian,” and then showed a picture of a near-naked women on her hands and knees with the features of a pig. “That’s Tracy Grimshaw,” he said.
3. Allegedly Called Marcus Samuelsson a “Fucking Black Bastard” (2000)
“I’m going to make sure you have a fucking miserable time here. This is my city, you hear? Good luck, you fucking black bastard,” Samuelsson recounted Ramsay saying while he worked as a guest chef at London’s Lanesborough Hotel. Ramsay was provoked because Samuelsson hadn’t cited him as a role model in an interview.
2. Tricked Vegetarians Into Eating Meat (2003, 2005)
While offering pizza samples on his show, a volunteer said he’d been a vegetarian for eight years, and Ramsay claimed the pie was meatless. Only after the guy ate it did Ramsay tell him, “Unfortunately, that pizza has got a lot of mozzarella and tomatoes, but underneath all that there is parma ham … good luck with the Vegemite!” Two years before, when asked for his most recent lie, he boasted, “To a table of vegetarians who had artichoke soup. I told them it was made with vegetable stock when it was chicken stock.”
1. Framed Marco Pierre White (2007)
“It was me,” Ramsay said, years after his restaurant reservations book went missing and he blamed his one-time mentor. “I nicked it. I blamed Marco. Because I knew that would fuck him and that it would call off the dogs … It was my one stroke of genius, fucking someone over without his knowing that I was the one who done it. And the Italians cutting Marco off and wanting to get closer to me, kissing my ass.”
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FAQs
The 20 Most Despicable Things Gordon Ramsay Has Said and Done, Ranked? ›
1. Idiot Sandwich. Arguably the most famous of Ramsay's quips, the call and response insult even includes literally sandwiching one's face with two slices of bread. Ouch.
What is the meanest thing Gordon Ramsay has done? ›1. Idiot Sandwich. Arguably the most famous of Ramsay's quips, the call and response insult even includes literally sandwiching one's face with two slices of bread. Ouch.
What chef made Gordon Ramsay cry? ›Chef Marco Pierre White reportedly made Gordon Ramsay cry. Gordon Ramsay was a young employee of White's at the time. Marco Pierre White subsequently recalled the incident, saying, “I don't know what he'd done wrong, but I yelled at him.
How many times did Gordon Ramsay cuss? ›Chef Ramsay swears in EVERY SINGLE episode, with at least 30 f-words per episode.
What is Gordon Ramsay's weakness? ›Ramsay's favorite food? He says he has a weakness for chocolate.
Who does Gordon Ramsay fear? ›In an interview with British GQ published on Wednesday, Ramsay admitted he was terrified when Adele spotted him in the crowd at her Las Vegas show in February. "I'll jump out of a helicopter in Guyana. Have sharks the size of Range Rovers over my head in Tasmania. These are the bootcamps I put myself in.
What famous chef yells a lot? ›Amazingly, after more than two decades of yelling at people on television, Gordon Ramsay is still Gordon Ramsaying. He's committed to the same bit that now spans over 20 shows, from his early Hell's Kitchen days, through the Kitchen Nightmares and Master Chef eras, and now on Next Level Chef.
What does Gordon Ramsay say all the time? ›Originally Answered: How come Gordon Ramsay always says "put two tablespoons of oil/butter in" and then proceeds to put way more than two tablespoons.
Why did Gordon Ramsay lose his Michelin stars? ›The Real Reason Behind His Lost Michelin Stars
According to Michael Ellis, the director of Michelin's Guide, the reason behind Chef Ramsay's loss of his Michelin Stars is inconsistency. “The inspectors were disappointed with the consistency of the food,” he said.
Gordon cooked for the politician and then Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2000, for a Downing Street lunch. Speaking on the Kelly Clarkson show in the US, the celebrity chef revealed he was worried he would give Putin food poisoning.
Who is the youngest chef to get 3 Michelin stars? ›
In 1994, a 32-year-old Marco Pierre White became the youngest chef to achieve three stars at his eponymous restaurant. By 1999, he'd renounced the stars, quitting the restaurant that had made him a culinary star.
Does Gordon Ramsay have an illness? ›Scottish TV chef Gordon Ramsay has been told to “slow down” by doctors after giving him a bombshell diagnosis of arthritis. The food king was back on our TVs last night starring in a festive episode of Gordon, Gino & Fred, where the trio explored the most northerly point of Finland.
Does Gordon Ramsay speak any languages? ›As of 2018, Gordon Ramsay can speak fluent English and French. He can also speak Spanish but his Spanish speaking skills are not as fluent as the other. It all began on 8th November 1966 when Gordon Ramsay was born in Johnstone, a little Scottish town in the United Kingdom.
Does Gordon Ramsay's son swear? ›Gordon Ramsay's eldest son Jack has been reported to have been spotted in a clash at a festival after allegedly calling a fellow reveller 'f***ing scum. ' Jack, who is a Royal Marines Commando, was filmed swearing at the festival goer for taking his unclaimed burger at the Cornwall event.
What personality type is Gordon Ramsay? ›Gordon Ramsay is an ENTJ. He is a British chef and TV personality. His group of restaurants has earned 17 Michelin stars.
What is Gordon Ramsay's personality like? ›As an ENTJ, Gordon tends to be charismatic, direct, and logical. Gordon likely enjoys taking charge, working to achieve goals, and encouraging growth from others.
What are 2 facts about Gordon Ramsay? ›Gordon Ramsay is famous for his no-holds-barred persona on shows like "Kitchen Nightmares." He has five kids, competes in Ironman competitions, and almost became a professional soccer player. His favorite fast-food order is a double cheeseburger "animal style" from In-N-Out.
What did Gordon Ramsay cook for Putin? ›The Russian leader was served a menu that included tomato consomme with golden caviare from albino sturgeon, mosaic of chicken and ham knuckle, roasted slice of sea bass on crushed new potatoes with white asparagus in a red wine sauce, and treacle tart.
Does Gordon Ramsay know fighting? ›Gordon has a black belt in karate.
He revealed: "I have a black belt in karate. I love boxing. I can look out for myself." The chef also revealed he keeps fit with Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Three years ago I started taking my first lessons.
The Beckhams have already chosen their godparents for their unborn child, and it looks like family friend, Gordon Ramsay, is a shoe-in for the role.
What famous chef was accused of harassment? ›
Celebrity chef Mario Batali has agreed to settle lawsuits by two women alleging he sexually assaulted them in separate encounters in Boston, one of whose accusations were the focus of a #MeToo-era criminal prosecution that ended in his acquittal.
Is Matthew McConaughey a chef? ›Matthew McConaughey
While fans salivate over McConaughey, he's busy cooking his own meat. He's on the road to becoming a "master barbecue chef," and even mixes his own dry rubs. He and wife Camila Alves take turns playing chef in the kitchen, and Top Chef is a mainstay on his DVR.
The chef prefers to eat five times per day, focusing on smaller portions to keep his energy up, rather than three solid meals. A few of his go-to dishes include green juices, chicken Niçoise salad, and homemade fruit and nut bars, The Telegraph reports.
Is Gordon Ramsay a picky eater? ›As a Michelin-starred chef, Gordon Ramsay is far from a picky eater. In fact, there are very few foods the 50-year-old father-of-four is averse to trying at least once.
Has Gordon Ramsay ever liked the food? ›It's not often that Gordon likes the food but there are some dishes he has liked and even loved! The catfish goujons with homemade pineapple salsa are nice and light. What is this? The main is a clumsy mess of soul food - ribs, chicken and succotash but tastes phenomenal with tender ribs and he empties his plate!
What is the old saying about too many cooks in the kitchen? ›Too many cooks spoil the broth Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com.
What chef said a kitchen without a knife is not a kitchen? ›Masaharu Morimoto Quotes
A kitchen without a knife is not a kitchen.
Gordon Ramsay – 7 Michelin stars
Known for his volatile kitchen demeanour and exceptional British cuisine, Gordon Ramsay is arguably the most famous chef in the world. Although he's been awarded 16 Michelin stars throughout his career, he currently holds seven.
French chef Marc Veyrat, who unsuccessfully sued Michelin for saying he used cheddar cheese in a soufflé instead of French Reblochon, said last year that he never wants a star for his new restaurant.
Who is world's best chef? ›
- Joël Robuchon: 31 stars.
- Alain Ducasse: 21 stars.
- Gordon Ramsay: 16 stars.
- Pierre Gagnaire: 14 stars.
- Martin Berasategui – 12 stars.
- Yannick Alléno: 10 stars.
Everything About Gordon Ramsay's Signature Dish
Beef Wellington is one of the most delicious dishes that chef Gordon Ramsay is most known for. The combined effect of juicy beef tenderloin, special duxelles, and prosciutto wrapped in a pastry shell is simply divine [1]. “Chefs don't make mistakes; they make new dishes.”
Hajime Yoneda led his restaurant to win three stars in 17 months – the fastest in Michelin history.
Who is richer Jamie or Gordon? ›Jamie Oliver (net worth $300 million) Gordon Ramsay (net worth $220 million)
Can you go from 0 to 3 Michelin stars? ›A restaurant can be rated from 0-3 stars, and there is also a 'Bib Gourmand' award for restaurants offering quality food at a reasonable price. Michelin stars are awarded to restaurants, rather than to individual chefs, so chefs who run more than one establishment can hold more than three stars.
Why is Gordon Ramsay scarred? ›Despite the rumors of plastic surgery, it's important to note that Ramsay also has some scars on his face. This could be due to his time working in the kitchen, where accidents can happen. Additionally, Ramsay has also been open about his past struggles with acne, which can leave behind scarring.
Is Gordon Ramsay self taught? ›Gordon Ramsay began a career as an athlete but stumbled upon his love for food and cooking. He decided to leave his soccer career and become an established chef in the United Kingdom. Therefore, he immediately started teaching himself the techniques and methods of cooking that he still uses today.
Is Gordon Ramsay's accent real? ›Fans were amazed when Gordon Ramsay revealed his 'true' accent in a TikTok video. The Johnstone-born chef typically speaks with an English accent, but his 'true Scot' came out during a video with social media chef Jimmy Stewart.
What's Gordon Ramsay's accent? ›GORDON Ramsay has shocked fans after finally revealing his Scottish accent. The telly chef, born in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, is most often assumed to be from England after moving South as a youngster. But the former Rangers youth player is patriotic and couldn't help but slip into his old brogue in a TikTok duet.
Does Gordon Ramsay spoil his kids? ›
Gordon has also previously admitted that his children won't get a job off him or receive any handouts from his celebrity friends. He said on US radio: "I'm firm, I'm fair and I will give you everything I've got to get you to the very top. “It's like not employing the kids.
Is Gordon Ramsay kid friendly? ›Get together with friends and family of all ages and enjoy an unforgettable dining experience for all. At selected Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, we're making sure that your family days don't break the bank.
What is the net worth of Gordon Ramsay? ›Ramsay, whose personal net income was estimated to be US$63 million in 2019 by Forbes, was criticised for the lay-offs.
How old is Gordon Ramsay? › What is Gordon Ramsay's most favorite dish? ›Ramsay previously said if he could choose his last meal on Earth, it would be beef Wellington. Ramsay is a huge fan of the British dish, and many regard his own recipe as his greatest of all.
Does Gordon Ramsay eat junk food? ›Gordon Ramsay likes fast food, and he usually orders burgers. He said, “Every chef in the country loves indulging in fast food.”
What famous chef took his life? ›About Auguste Escoffier
Beginning his career at 13 years of age, Auguste Escoffier was quickly consumed with ambition to become the best and moved steadily upward until he was known as the King of Chefs, Chef of Kings.
In addition, his Emmy Award-winning TV show on the food network has made him a famous personality. Fieri is also the writer of the New York Times bestselling cookbooks. In November 2022, Guy Fieri's net worth was calculated to be around 20 million dollars, making him one of the richest chefs in the world.
How much does Gordon Ramsey pay his chefs? ›| Job Title | Salary |
|---|---|
| Chef salaries - 4 salaries reported | $48,380/yr |
| Server salaries - 4 salaries reported | $33,954/yr |
| Server/Waiter salaries - 2 salaries reported | $36,778/yr |
| Master Chef salaries - 1 salaries reported | $51,556/yr |
What kind of car does Gordon Ramsay drive? ›
Gordon Ramsay owns a Ferrari F355 GTS, considered one of the company's most iconic sports cars. Gordon Ramsay's F355 GTS is finished in a classic shade of red, which is a popular color for Ferrari sports cars.
How much does it cost to eat at Hell's Kitchen? ›Your dining experience will start at the cost between $150 - $200 per person depending on the menu and meal.
Who is Gordon Ramsay's best friend? ›| Marcus Wareing | |
|---|---|
| Born | 29 June 1970 Southport, Lancashire, England |
| Education | City & Guilds in Catering |
| Culinary career | |
| Cooking style | European cuisine |
Diners didn't have to pay for their meals, however — which makes sense, since a lot of times, they never see the food they ordered. In fact, as compensation for their time, each diner was paid $50. They weren't paid to act or react in any way, however.
Why did Gordon Ramsay lost his Michelin stars? ›The Real Reason Behind His Lost Michelin Stars
According to Michael Ellis, the director of Michelin's Guide, the reason behind Chef Ramsay's loss of his Michelin Stars is inconsistency. What is this? “The inspectors were disappointed with the consistency of the food,” he said.