Gordon Ramsay is a well-known chef famous for his fiery personality. He’s been on TV since the late 1990s and has gained worldwide fame. Here are 10 interesting facts about him.
Gordon Ramsay was born in Scotland but raised in England.
Gordon Ramsay, born on November 8, 1966, in Johnstone, Scotland, is currently 56 years old. His family relocated to Stratford-upon-Avon, England, when he was nine, where he grew up.
Ramsay started as a pot washer.
Gordon Ramsay’s initial job was as a pot washer in a nearby Indian restaurant during his upbringing. It was his first exposure to the culinary field, though he initially aimed to become an English football player. Unfortunately, a knee injury at the age of 12 redirected his career aspirations toward the culinary world.
Ramsay worked in top restaurants in London.
In 1987, Ramsay relocated to London to advance his career in the hospitality industry. He began working at Marco Pierre White’s renowned restaurant, Harveys. Ramsay spent almost three years under White’s mentorship before moving on to join the team at Le Gavroche, a restaurant in Mayfair, London, led by the French chef Albert Roux.
Ramsay’s mentor was French chef Guy Savoy.
Albert Roux extended an invitation to Ramsay to join him as his second-in-command at a restaurant in Hotel Diva, a ski resort in the French Alps. This marked Ramsay’s initial experience working in France, and he was 23 years old at the time. Following this introduction to the French culinary scene, Ramsay relocated to Paris and apprenticed under the Michelin-starred chef Guy Savoy. Ramsay pursued further culinary training in France and often refers to Guy Savoy as his mentor in his television series, Master Chef.
Ramsay’s first restaurant opened in 1998.
Gordon Ramsay ventured into the restaurant business at 31, launching his inaugural establishment in Chelsea, London, known as “Restaurant Gordon Ramsay.” This restaurant accommodates up to 45 patrons and specializes in French cuisine. Impressively, it earned three Michelin stars by 2001. In 2007, Ramsay appointed Clare Smyth MBE as the Chef de Cuisine, with her remarkable achievement of being the sole female chef in the UK to claim three Michelin stars at that time.
Ramsay’s path to fame was through the TV series “Boiling Point.”
In 1998, the British TV show “Boiling Point” documented Ramsay’s debut in the restaurant industry with his first establishment in Chelsea, London. His captivating personality, culinary expertise, and dedication not only entertained but also captivated the nation.
Ramsay is a charitable man.
Starting in 2004, Gordon Ramsay assumed the role of Honorary Patron for the Scottish Spina Bifida Association. His inspiration came from an individual affected by Spina Bifida. Ramsay organized charity dinners and participated in marathons to raise funds. Through these efforts, he has collected over £1,000,000 for the charity.
Not everyone is charmed by his continuous swearing.
Ramsay openly acknowledges his frequent use of profanity, and some consider it a distinctive aspect of his personality. A Channel 4 episode of “Ramsay’s Great British Nightmare” once sparked 51 complaints due to his strong language. To be objective, viewers had a valid concern as the first 40 minutes of the program featured 115 utterances of the F-word! That amounts to approximately three swear words every minute.
Beef Wellington is Ramsay’s most famous dish.
Beef Wellington rose to prominence as Gordon Ramsay’s signature dish, gaining fame in “Hell’s Kitchen.” In the show, a commonly dreaded question was, “Who prepared this beef, Wellington?” It’s an intricate dish to master, and with Ramsay’s exacting standards, it can be quite a test. During a Reddit takeover, Ramsay revealed that he consistently chooses beef Wellington if it’s available on the menu.
Gordon Ramsay is a black belt in karate.
During an interview with Playboy, Ramsay disclosed that he holds a black belt in karate. In an episode of Hell’s Kitchen, a contestant made a threat to him, and Ramsay retorted, “I have a black belt in karate. I love boxing.”
Ramsay has a Net Worth of $220 million.
As of 2020, Ramsay boasts an estimated net worth of $220 million (£162 million)! He rakes in an annual income of approximately $60 million (£44 million). 2018, Ramsay secured the 33rd spot among the world’s highest-earning celebrities.
In 2020, Ramsay had 3 Michelin star restaurants in France.
Ramsay earned a total of 3 Michelin stars across two of his French restaurants. In 2015, he opened Le Pressoir d’Argent in Bordeaux, France, and it clinched 2 Michelin stars in 2016. Gordon Ramsay au Trianon in Versailles, France, received 1 Michelin star back in 2009.
10 of Ramsay’s Michelin Star restaurants have closed.
Despite once earning 16 Michelin stars, some of Ramsay’s restaurants have closed over time. By 2020, he retained only 8 Michelin Stars for the restaurants that remained open, reducing his previous total by half.
