Gordon Ramsay OBE, born on November 8, 1966, is a renowned British celebrity chef, restaurateur, television presenter, and writer.
He established Gordon Ramsay Restaurants in 1997, which has received a total of 17 Michelin stars and currently maintains eight.
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea, London, his flagship restaurant, has proudly held three Michelin stars since 2001.
Following his breakthrough on the British television miniseries Boiling Point in 1999, Ramsay quickly rose to fame and became one of the most prominent and influential chefs globally.
Ramsay’s television persona is characterized by his explosive temper, confrontational behavior, strict demeanor, and frequent use of profanity.
He is known for his straightforward and critical comments, often making controversial insults and sarcastic remarks about contestants and their cooking abilities. Ramsay is involved in various industries, including television, film, hospitality, and food.
He has mentored and employed numerous chefs who have trained under his guidance. Ramsay has hosted several popular television programs centered around competitive cooking and food, such as the British series Hell’s Kitchen (2004), Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares (2004–2009, 2014), and The F Word (2005–2010).
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Kitchen Nightmares received the prestigious 2005 British Academy Television Award for Best Feature. He has also been involved in the American versions of Hell’s Kitchen (2005–present), Kitchen Nightmares (2007–present), MasterChef (2010–present), and MasterChef Junior (2013–present), as well as Hotel Hell (2012–2016), Gordon Behind Bars (2012), Gordon Ramsay’s 24 Hours to Hell and Back (2018–2020), and Next Level Chef (2022–present).
In recognition of his contributions to the hospitality industry, Ramsay was honored with an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2006 New Year Honours list.
He was also named the top chef in the UK at the 2000 Catey Awards and received the Catey for Independent Restaurateur of the Year in July 2006, making him the third person to win three Catey Awards. According to Forbes, Ramsay earned $70 million in 2020, placing him at No.19 on the list of highest-earning celebrities.
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Gordon James Ramsay
8 November 1966 Johnstone, Renfrewshire, Scotland
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| Education | North Oxfordshire Technical College (Apprenticeship) |
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| Children | 6, including Tilly |
| Culinary career | |
| Cooking style | European |
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| Website | gordonramsay |
Early Life
Gordon James Ramsay was born on 8 November 1966 in Johnstone, Scotland. His parents were Helen (née Cosgrove), a nurse, and Gordon James Sr., who held various jobs such as a swimming pool manager, welder, and shopkeeper.
He grew up with an older sister, a younger brother, and a younger sister. When he was nine years old, his family relocated to England and settled in the Bishopton area of Stratford-upon-Avon.
Ramsay has described his early life as constantly moving due to his father’s aspirations and failures, who was an occasionally violent alcoholic and a “hard-drinking womaniser.”
In his autobiography, he revealed that his father mistreated and neglected the children. Ramsay started working as a pot washer in a local Indian restaurant where his sister worked as a waitress.
Initially, he had dreams of becoming a footballer and was selected to play under-14 football at the age of 12.
However, his football career was hindered by injuries, particularly a severe knee injury that ultimately led him to give up on his football aspirations.
At the age of 16, he decided to move out of the family home and into an apartment in Banbury.
Early Cooking Career
Ramsay’s passion for cooking ignited during his teenage years when he made the decision to focus on culinary education at the age of 19, rather than being known as “the football player with the gammy knee”.
He enrolled at North Oxfordshire Technical College, sponsored by the Rotarians, to pursue studies in hotel management, a choice he described as “a complete accident”.
In the mid-1980s, Ramsay worked as a commis chef at the Wroxton House Hotel before taking charge of the kitchen and 60-seat dining room at the Wickham Arms. However, he left after an incident involving the owner’s wife.
Ramsay then relocated to London, where he gained experience in various restaurants until he was inspired to work for Marco Pierre White at Harveys.
After spending almost three years at Harveys, Ramsay, disillusioned by the negative aspects of the kitchen environment, decided to enhance his skills in French cuisine.
Despite White’s advice against working in Paris, Ramsay followed his suggestion to join Albert Roux at Le Gavroche in Mayfair. Following a year at Le Gavroche, Roux offered Ramsay a position as his second-in-command at Hotel Diva in the French Alps.
Subsequently, Ramsay traveled to Paris to work with renowned chefs Guy Savoy and Joël Robuchon, where he honed his skills for three years before taking a break from the intense kitchen atmosphere to work as a personal chef on a private yacht, the Idlewild, based in Bermuda. During his time on the yacht, Ramsay explored Italian cuisine through travels to Sicily and Sardinia.
Head Chef Career
After returning to London in 1993, Ramsay was presented with the opportunity to become the head chef at La Tante Claire in Chelsea, a prestigious three-Michelin-starred restaurant, under the guidance of chef-patron Pierre Koffmann.
Shortly thereafter, Marco Pierre White reentered Ramsay’s life and offered him a head chef position and a 10% share in the Rossmore, which was owned by White’s business partners.
The restaurant was then renamed Aubergine and achieved its first Michelin star just 14 months later. In 1997, Aubergine earned its second Michelin star. However, a disagreement arose between Ramsay and the restaurant’s owners, who wanted to turn Aubergine into a chain.
Ramsay’s desire to run his own restaurant led him to leave the partnership in July 1998. He considers this decision to be the most significant moment in his culinary career and his life.
In 1998, Ramsay established his own restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, in Chelsea. With the support of his father-in-law, Chris Hutcheson, and his former colleagues from Aubergine, Ramsay embarked on this new venture.
The restaurant’s excellence was recognized when it received its third Michelin star in 2001, making Ramsay the first Scottish chef to achieve such a distinction. In 2011, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay was ranked as the second best restaurant in the UK by The Good Food Guide, with the Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire taking the top spot.
After establishing his initial restaurant, Ramsay’s empire experienced rapid growth. He proceeded to launch Pétrus, followed by Amaryllis in Glasgow (which he was later compelled to shut down), and later Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s.
Ramsay enlisted the services of his friend and maître d’hôtel, Jean-Philippe Susilovic, who currently works at Pétrus and also makes appearances on Ramsay’s US television show, Hell’s Kitchen.
Subsequently, he expanded his restaurant ventures to include establishments at the Dubai Creek and Connaught hotels, with the latter bearing the name of his protégée, Angela Hartnett.
Ramsay’s foray into international restaurant ownership began with Verre in Dubai. In 2005, he opened two restaurants in Tokyo, namely Gordon Ramsay at Conrad Tokyo and Cerise by Gordon Ramsay.
In November 2006, Gordon Ramsay at the London made its debut in New York City, earning the prestigious title of top newcomer in the city’s renowned Zagat guide, despite receiving mixed reviews from professional critics.
In 2007, Ramsay inaugurated his first restaurant in Ireland, Gordon Ramsay at Powerscourt, located at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Powerscourt, County Wicklow. Unfortunately, this establishment closed its doors in 2013.
In May 2008, Ramsay ventured into the Western US with the opening of his inaugural restaurant in The London West Hollywood Hotel (formerly the Bel-Age Hotel) on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. However, the contract expired in 2015, resulting in the closure of the restaurant.
On 9 August 2011, Ramsay expanded his culinary empire to Canada with the launch of Laurier Gordon Ramsay (formerly Rotisserie Laurier BBQ) in Montreal.
However, in February 2012, the owner of the restaurant, Danny Lavy, announced the establishment’s disassociation from Ramsay, citing a lack of involvement and understanding on Ramsay’s part. Consequently, the restaurant ceased operations in 2013.
Awards
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, situated on Royal Hospital Road in London, received the prestigious title of Top Restaurant in the UK in the London Zagat Survey of 2001. This remarkable establishment was also honored with its third Michelin star, solidifying its status as a culinary gem.
In recognition of his exceptional contributions to the hospitality industry, Gordon Ramsay was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2006 New Year Honours list. However, his journey to the award ceremony was nearly thwarted by a delayed plane, causing him to almost miss this momentous occasion.
Adding to his accolades, Ramsay was bestowed with the Catey award for “Independent Restaurateur of the Year” in July 2006.
This remarkable achievement marked his third Catey award, a distinction shared by only two other individuals, Michel Roux and Jacquie Pern.
Ramsay’s previous Catey awards were earned in 1995 as “Newcomer of the Year” and in 2000 as “Chef of the Year.” Furthermore, in September 2006, he was recognized as the most influential figure in the UK hospitality industry in the esteemed Caterersearch 100 list, surpassing Jamie Oliver, who had held the top spot in 2005.
In 2006, Ramsay’s renowned flagship restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, was consecutively voted as London’s premier dining destination in Harden’s for eight consecutive years.
However, in 2008, it was surpassed by Pétrus, a restaurant led by Ramsay’s former protégé Marcus Wareing.
Nonetheless, Ramsay’s culinary prowess and impact were acknowledged in January 2013 when he was inducted into the esteemed Culinary Hall of Fame.
Gordon Ramsay’s exceptional skills and achievements extend beyond the realm of fine dining. On 14 June 2017, he set a remarkable Guinness World Record for the ‘Fastest time to fillet a 10 lb fish,’ accomplishing this feat in an astonishing one minute and five seconds.
Continuing his record-breaking endeavors, on 16 August 2017, Ramsay rolled a ‘Guinness World Record for the Longest Pasta Sheet Rolled in 60 Seconds,’ measuring an impressive 1.45 meters.
Furthermore, in June 2022, he was recognized as one of the 100 Most Powerful People in Global Hospitality by the International Hospitality Institute.
Finally, on 11 May 2023, Ramsay, alongside Nick DiGiovanni set the Guinness World Record for largest Beef Wellington. It came in at a weight of 25.76 kg (56.79 lb). It also measured 2 ft 5 inches long by 13 inches wide and 8 inches tall.
Personal Life
Ramsay wed Tana Hutcheson, a Montessori-trained schoolteacher, in 1996. They split their time between Los Angeles and the Wandsworth Common area of London, and have six children, including Tilly.
By 2023, daughter Megan is employed with the Metropolitan Police, son Jack serves as a Royal Marines Commando, and daughter Holly pursues a career as a fashion designer and blogger.
Up until 2010, Ramsay’s father-in-law, Chris Hutcheson, managed the business operations of Ramsay’s restaurant empire.
On 7 June 2017, Hutcheson was sentenced to six months in jail for conspiring to hack a computer system related to the Ramsays’ business interests.
Hutcheson, along with his sons, was accused of accessing company systems nearly 2,000 times between 23 October 2010 and 31 March 2011.
Ramsay owns three properties in Cornwall with a combined value of approximately £11 million: a £4 million mansion in Trebetherick, a £4.4 million property in Rock, and a £2 million Grade II listed property in Fowey.
In August 2020, the Fowey property was listed for sale at £2.75 million.
Car collection
Ramsay is a car enthusiast with a love for Ferrari. He maintains a sizeable car collection in the UK which includes the following:
- Ferrari LaFerrari painted in Grigio Ferro
- Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta painted in Bianco Italia
- Ferrari F12tdf painted in Bianco Italia
- Ferrari Monza SP2 painted in Nero Daytona
- Ferrari 488 Spider
- Ferrari 488 Pista
- Ferrari 812 Superfast
- Ferrari 575 Superamerica painted in Giallo Modena
- Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
- McLaren Senna in exposed carbon fibre and yellow accents
- McLaren 675LT Spider painted in Chicane Grey
- Porsche 918 Spyder painted in Sapphire Blue Metallic
- BAC Mono
Ramsay displayed his collection in a video posted to his YouTube channel filmed at Brands Hatch.
Charity
Ramsay’s involvement in charitable events and organizations has been extensive.
He successfully achieved his goal of completing 10 marathons in 10 years by participating in the 10th consecutive London Marathon on 26 April 2009, where he sponsored the Scottish Spina Bifida Association.
Since 2004, Ramsay has held the position of Honorary Patron for the Scottish Spina Bifida Association.
In 2005, he initiated The Gordon Ramsay “Buy a Brick” appeal to assist the organization in raising funds for the construction of a new Family Support Centre and Head Office in Glasgow.
In 2006, he launched another appeal to help the charity continue operating the support center, titled “What’s your favorite ‘F’ Word? Gordon’s is Fundraising.”
Additionally, Ramsay has made the St Andrew’s Day Gala Dinner at Stirling Castle an annual fundraising event for the Association, starting from November 2007.
In March 2005, Ramsay collaborated with Indian chef Madhur Jaffrey to support the VSO, an international development charity group, through their Spice Up Your Life event.
The aim was to raise £100,000 for VSO’s efforts in combating HIV and AIDS in India. Ramsay and his wife became ambassadors for the women’s charity Women’s Aid in 2005 and participated in the Flora Families marathon to show their support.
Ramsay has also been actively involved in the biennial charity event Soccer Aid, which raises funds for UNICEF.
He participated in the event in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014. In the 2010 match, Ramsay played for the Rest of the World team alongside renowned footballers Zinedine Zidane and Luís Figo, as well as Hollywood actors Woody Harrelson, Mike Myers, and Michael Sheen.
The Rest of the World team emerged victorious, with Harrelson scoring the winning penalty in the shoot-out.
Most recently, on 28 August 2020, it was reported that Ramsay and his wife Tana had become ambassadors for Cornwall Air Ambulance, further demonstrating their commitment to charitable causes.
Restaurants Owned By Gordon Ramsay
Ramsay established his initial restaurant group, Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, in 1997. Since his appointment as head chef of Aubergine in 1993, he has owned and managed a range of restaurants.
At that time, he possessed a 25% ownership stake in the restaurant, where he achieved his first two Michelin stars. After the removal of his protege Marcus Wareing from sister restaurant L’Oranger, Ramsay orchestrated a staff walkout from both establishments and subsequently opened Restaurant Gordon Ramsay at Royal Hospital Road in London.
This eponymous restaurant ultimately became his sole three Michelin star establishment.
Ramsay has mentored several individuals who have gone on to work in restaurants.
Angela Hartnett and Jason Atherton both honed their skills at Verre before returning to London to join The Connaught and Maze, respectively.
Atherton eventually departed to establish his own restaurant, while Hartnett acquired Murano from Ramsay in 2010. Wareing was appointed head chef of the London-based restaurant Pétrus, which later earned two Michelin stars.
However, a falling out between the two chefs occurred in 2008. Wareing retained ownership of the restaurant premises and the stars, while Ramsay obtained the rights to the name.
The establishment was subsequently renamed Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley, and in 2010, the new Pétrus by Gordon Ramsay was unveiled.
Ramsay has also introduced a series of restaurants inspired by his television show, Hell’s Kitchen.
The inaugural Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen restaurant opened in front of Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip in January 2018. Additionally, Ramsay has established various other chains and individual restaurants worldwide.
Bibliography
Since 1996, Ramsay has written 26 books. Ramsay also contributes a food-and-drink column to The Times‘ Saturday magazine.
- Gordon Ramsay’s Passion for Flavour (1996). ISBN 978-1850298410.
- Gordon Ramsay’s Passion for Seafood (1999). ISBN 978-1850299936.
- Gordon Ramsay, a Chef for All Seasons (2000). ISBN 978-1580082341.
- Gordon Ramsay’s Just Desserts (2001). ISBN 978-1571457011.
- Gordon Ramsay’s Secrets (2003). ISBN 978-1844000371.
- Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Heaven (2004). ISBN 978-0141017976.
- Gordon Ramsay Makes It Easy (2005). ISBN 978-0764598784.
- Gordon Ramsay Easy All Year Round (2006). ISBN 978-1844002801.
- Gordon Ramsay’s Sunday Lunch and other recipes from The F Word (2006). ISBN 978-1844002801.
- Humble Pie (2006; autobiography). ISBN 978-0007270965 (issued in US as Roasting in Hell’s Kitchen (2006), ISBN 978-0061191985).
- Gordon Ramsay’s Fast Food Recipes from The F Word (2007). ISBN 978-1844004539.
- Playing with Fire (2007; follow-up to autobiography). ISBN 0007259883.
- Recipes From a 3 Star Chef (2007). ISBN 978-1844005000.
- Gordon Ramsay’s Three Star Chef (2008). ISBN 978-1554700905.
- Gordon Ramsay’s Fast Food (2008). ISBN 978-1554700646.
- Gordon Ramsay’s Healthy Appetite (2008). ISBN 978-1402797880.
- Cooking for Friends: Food from My Table (2008). ISBN 978-0061435041.
- Gordon Ramsay’s World Kitchen: Recipes from “The F Word” (2009). ISBN 978-1554701995.
- Ramsay’s Best Menus (2010). ISBN 978-1844009152.
- Gordon Ramsay’s Great Escape: 100 of my favourite Indian recipes (2010). ISBN 978-0007267057.
- Gordon’s Great Escape: 100 of my favourites South-east Asia recipes (2011). ISBN 978-0007267040.
- Gordon Ramsay’s Ultimate Cookery Course (2012). ISBN 978-1444756692.
- Gordon Ramsay’s Home Cooking: Everything You Need to Know to Make Fabulous Food (2013). ISBN 978-1455525256.
- Gordon Ramsay and the Bread Street Kitchen Team: Delicious Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner to Cook at Home (2016). ISBN 978-1473651432.
Net Worth
The world’s richest celebrity chef is Scotland’s Gordon Ramsay. As well owning a string of restaurants, Ramsay is a reality television star known for his fiery temper. His empire is worth around $220 million
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