My Fascination with Gordon Ramsay

Gordon Ramsay is a world class chef, television personality, and author. If you’ve seen him only on U.S.-based television,  you probably think he is a megalomaniac hell-bent on insulting chefs in the most barbaric way possible. I’d like to tell you that this portrayal isn’t true, in fact I think it’s all an act.

I’m biased of course, I’ve been a big fan of his since before he had any shows in the U.S. I first got started following him when he was making an early season of the F-word, a BBC based talk/cook/contest show that takes place in his restaurant. If you haven’t seen this show but enjoy the likes of Kitches Nightmares or Hell’s Kitchen, I would encourage you to check it out. Not only do you get to see ‘the real’ Gordon Ramsay in action, but you also get to see him go so far as to raise different types of animals on his own each season, and then eat them.

After blazing through all the F-word episodes that had been released, I eventually found the first series he ever did, Boiling Point and Beyond Boiling Point. In these shows, you can see the true fury and anger that boils within Gordon Ramsay. You see him yell at his staff. You see him act ruthless with competition. He wants success, and he wants it bad. Really bad. Insult your mom in front of your family bad. If you can get your dirty little hands on this series, do it, you won’t regret it.

Hell’s Kitchen and (Ramsay’s) Kitchen Nightmares also actually got their start at the BBC. There are number of episodes of each, sprawling across several series. I feel like these shows are more grounded in reality than their American counterparts. I’m an American, don’t get me wrong, but we (or should I just say FOX) have really ripped apart what was once a genuine idea and show. FOX has gutted all the wonderful cooking and interesting character developments to leave only the shouty angry part of Ramsay, which I often feel is forced. I get the feeling the directors are of screen saying “Louder! Angrier! Again!!!”

Gordon Ramsay - Smirky Bastard

Ramsay has also written several cookbooks, some of which I own (and are great). Of more interest to me though are his autobiographical books, such as Humble Pie. In this book, he explains how he got to be the way he is today. He starts with his meager beginnings in Scotland, develops the story of his dysfunctional relationship with his father, and ultimately elaborates on his core reasons for demanding success and perfection. If you have the chance, you’d be better off going with the audiobook, read by the man himself.

Gordon Ramsay opened up a restaurant in Los Angeles about a year ago at a new hotel he was also involved with, The London. I’ve fortunately been able to eat at this restaurant on a couple of occasions, all of which were amazing dining experiences. I’m not a food critic, so I won’t even begin to try to describe the culinary delights put forth from his kitchen. After having eaten at one of his restaurants though, I think I’ve found even more respect for the man. It’s not too surprising to learn that he has amassed an astounding 13 Michelin stars, which I believe ties him for second in the ‘most stars even won’ contest. I have enjoyed watching his determination, drive, and passion for what he does, as well as admiring the results he has achieved.

Read more about Gordon Ramsay at Wikipedia and his personal website.