There cannot be anyone in the modern world who doesn’t know who Gordon Ramsay is. Acclaimed chef, restaurateur and television personality, the Ramsay media empire is one the largest names in culinary celebrity. There is nobody that dwarfs the huge personality that is Gordon Ramsay. From the variety of shows he’s starred in and produced, to books and restaurants, he is the premiere example of an Iron Chef.
Everybody always wants to know about Gordon Ramsay’s success. He’s got a few key ingredients to his culinary expertise – passion and honesty. “I never let myself get too comfortable, so I’m always pushing and challenging myself. People equate success [with] wealth, but I always come back to [being] passionate because if that’s what’s driving you, then you’re successful at every stage of your career.”
Ramsay has a slew of restaurants around the world, but Las Vegas seems to be his most profitable market, outside of Britain. This year, Ramsay will be opening his fourth Vegas at THE LINQ this summer. Named Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips, the establishment promises to serve not only fish, but other British favourites like bangers and mash, sausages and seafood chowder. They will also be serving their food in cute Union Jack-style cones, harkening to the old-school British roots of the product. But besides Fish & Chips, Ramsay also has three other restaurants in the district: Gordon Ramsay Burgr, Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill and Gordon Ramsay Steak.
Burgr (notice the play on Gordon Ramsay’s name) offers traditional burgers and fries, with a lively, modern atmosphere. Besides using the best gourmet ingredients and an open fire to cook, Burgr also offers milkshakes, fries, onion rings and hotdogs. Located at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, the restaurant brings easy eats with an Iron Chef kick. The Pub & Grill and Steak also stand by the use of the best ingredients – it’s clear Ramsay restaurants set a high standard.
Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill aims to bring British pub life, with your mates and your ales and food, to the comforts of Las Vegas. Located just by the Vegas Colosseum, Pub & Grill’s is the perfect patio hangout. On the other side of the spectrum is the premier dining experience of Gordon Ramsay Steak. Sporting a heavy Parisian style and set in the heart of Paris Las Vegas, Steak is an establishment built to succeed. Carving its own reputation since its opening in 2012, Gordon Ramsay Steak is arguably the most sought after food experience in Vegas.
Though Vegas might be a strong market in the United States for Ramsay, the United Kingdom is his restaurant home. Boasting more than ten establishment, the UK is spoiled rotten with Ramsay’s food. His signature restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea, London is his most popular and most successful, holding three Michelin stars (an exceptional rating within the culinary world). Fine dining is the name of the game, and led by Chef Patron Clare Smyth, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay brings about unrivaled modern French cuisine.
Being a successful restauranteur is just one facet of Ramsay. When asked about why he’s gone one to be one of the most renowned culinary personalities on television, Ramsay keeps it very simple.
“I’m honest.”
To anybody watching any of his shows, it’s terrifyingly true. It’s can be a double-edged sword, but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. “I’m a perfectionist. I often tell people is that the way I am in the kitchen is no different from a pro-sport athlete, coach, or chairman of the board when the stakes are high.”
Though television portrays him to be hypercritical and terrifying (but based on his experience and calibre, the harsh judgement is expected), Ramsay is much more palatable to watch when dealing with children. His personality and interactions are much more serene (or as serene it can be!) in Masterchef Junior, an iteration of Masterchef that features children. Ramsay is a father, so it’s very likely his soft spots rest in the hands of a kid. If that isn’t heartwarming, we don’t know what is.
“When it comes to my family, I’m a softie,” he says. According to Ramsay, his mother instilled his love for cooking, and it’s clearly been passed down to his offspring. “I love cooking for my family. It’s relaxing to me. All my kids are chefs: Megan, Matilda, twins, Jack and Holly; they all love to cook. Tilly has her own show, she’s always the first one in the kitchen experimenting with different recipes.”
There is a lot in store for the future of the Ramsay empire. There is the launch of STUDIO RAMSAY, a venture with All3Media, which will be producing scripted and unscripted shows. Gordon Ramsay DASH, a mobile game developed by Glu Mobile, is also coming – Ramsay and his team have been working on it for over a year, and according to him, they are making it as close to the real life kitchen experience as it can be. Of course, there will be more shows, more restaurants and more culinary accoutrements. Though aren’t any restaurants coming to our home in Toronto any time soon, Ramsay insists that Toronto is “a great, vibrant city and the culinary scene is one of the best with so many great restaurants! I would love to be part of that one day.” It seems Ramsay likes to keep the kitchen hot, be it actually in the kitchen or within all of his other ventures.
By Jay de Belen