Gordon Ramsay is one of the most celebrated celebrity chefs of our generation. And just like any other celebrity, he had his share of controversies in the past. Behind the kitchen, there have been uncomfortable truths and allegations from here and there about his career and personal life. Today, we’ll be listing down the 10 controversies Ramsay went through.
10. Admitting to Serving Frozen Food in Restaurants
In 2009, several of Gordon Ramsay’s gastropubs in London were accused of serving frozen food. The Sun tabloid revealed that the restaurant was supplied with boil-in-bag coq au vin from Ramsay’s kitchen facility, GR Logistics. It was heated and served before reaching the table of unsuspecting diners. With this, the Daily Mail reported that their spokesman admitted to preparing components of dishes and producing them to Gordon Ramsay’s standards. They are transported safely and cooked in individual kitchens.
9. “A Monstrosity” According to Cornwall Neighbors
In 2015, the successful Gordon Ramsay purchased a 5-bedroom oceanfront home in Cornwall. He demolished the property and constructed two new structures, a mansion and a garden house. With this, his neighbors described his new home as “a monstrosity.” The reason? His neighbors thought that the construction would harm their properties and showed a lack of consideration. One neighbor attempted to contact him, but he never responded.
8. Sued Over Faking at Kitchen Nightmares
Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares show was a huge hit, even now. But the show had its share of controversies that involved Ramsay. One of the restaurateurs featured was Martin Hyde, the manager of Dillons. He filed a lawsuit that alleges the show is fake and that the so-called problems were uncovered and solved. Hyde further alleged that Ramsay created them to improve his restaurant. Ramsay denied the allegations.
7. Accused of Cultural Appropriation
We all know the issue of ethnic restaurants being “whitewashed” in the West. Gordon Ramsay wasn’t spared over this issue when he opened Lucky Cat in London back in 2019. The chef described it as an “authentic Asian eating house.” However, food critic Angela Hui slammed the eatery as a “real life Ramsay kitchen nightmare,” calling out Ramsay for cultural appropriation. Restaurateur George Chen also tweeted that chefs can interpret another cuisine, but it’s crossed when it was too “whitewashed for marketing purposes.”
6. Goat Issue
In his show Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted (which, by the way, was accused of copying Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown), many viewers were left horrified. The reason? He s**t a goat in New Zealand to roast it in traditional Maori style. Ramsay explained that the locals consider the goats as pests, but viewers still took to social media to express how they felt upon seeing the scene. Ramsay and National Geographic didn’t issue a statement.
5. Claimed Racist Remarks by Chef Marcus Samuelsson
Chef Marcus Samuelsson claimed in his 2012 memoir that a conversation with Gordon Ramsay ended with racist remarks. In his Yes Chef book, Samuelsson wrote that he answered the phone when he heard the angry Ramsay felt unhappy as he didn’t mention him as one of the chefs he admired. Allegedly, Ramsay shouted to him that he would make sure Samuelsson had a miserable time in his city, along with racist remarks. However, Ramsay denied the accusation, saying Samuelsson is gaining publicity for his book.
4. Ramsay Infuriated Scots
Despite being born in Scotland, Gordon Ramsay was 5 when his family moved to Avon, England. With this, the chef considers himself English, but Scotland claims him as theirs. In a 2011 Kitchen Nightmares episode, Ramsay conversed with a British owner, saying they’re both English. This scene made the Scots mad, so Inverness politician Don Lawson demanded that Ramsay apologize to the people of Scotland.
3. Swearing Led to a Call for New TV Regulations
Gordon Ramsay is known for his swearing, which was bleeped out on American television. This wasn’t the case in Australia, which caught the attention of lawmakers. With this, an Australian senator launched an inquiry over the country’s national broadcasting standards, calling for a stricter approach.
2. Alleged for Wage Theft
Four women formerly employed in Gordon Ramsay’s The Fat Cow restaurant in Los Angeles accused the company of wage theft. The women claimed that they weren’t compensated for working overtime and during breaks. In response, Ramsay admitted that there has been a problem with The Fat Cow’s previous management, which has been changed. The restaurant closed down permanently in 2014 due to legal battles.
1. The Whole Sarah Symonds Fiasco
In 2008, Gordon Ramsay was accused of infidelity by a woman named Sarah Symonds. She claimed that their affair lasted seven years with the married chef, sharing that he was his “confidant” and “soulmate.” However, Ramsay denied the allegations, sharing with Men’s Journal that he would never do such a thing to his wife and even joked about it in a few of his cooking shows. Symonds has then published a book about a “handbook for the other woman.”