Gordon Ramsay's amazing journey to celebrity chef superstar

The rise of Gordon Ramsay

Gordon Ramsay, once the enfant terrible of the restaurant scene, is one of the most successful celebrity chefs in the world. A TV personality, author, marathon runner and restaurateur he is, above all, an outstanding chef with an enduring presence – even if his talent is occasionally eclipsed by his temper and swearing. Read on to discover how he conquered the world, one restaurant at a time.

The childhood that defined him

Born in Scotland on 8 November 1966, Gordon had a ‘hopelessly itinerant’ childhood, according to his autobiography Humble Pie, suffering abuse from his father, an alcoholic womaniser. Gordon initially wanted to be a professional football player but his promising career was ended by injury. It was this disappointment that spurred him on; he returned to college to study hotel management and has since stated that ‘without the upset… I would not be the chef I am today’.

Early influences

In 1988, after completing his training and trying his hand at a couple of chef jobs, Gordon arrived at Harveys, the hottest restaurant in London at the time and holder of two Michelin stars. His genius blossomed under the tutelage of the brilliant but erratic Marco Pierre White (pictured). Ironically, Gordon – himself a notoriously temperamental chef – is said to have left after nearly three years because of the rages he regularly witnessed.

Ramsay's mentors

Following a stint at the iconic Le Gavroche under Albert Roux (pictured, left), Gordon moved to France – he speaks fluent French – where he worked for legendary chefs and multiple Michelin-star holders Joël Robuchon and Guy Savoy (the man he regards as his culinary mentor). Marco Pierre White, his father-in-law Chris Hutcheson and Scottish football manager Jock Wallace are also credited as important influences in his life.

Three is the magic number

Back in London, Gordon worked as head chef at Pierre Koffman’s La Tante Claire and the Michelin-starred Aubergine, before launching his first solo venture – Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, pictured – in 1998, at the age of just 31. By 2001, the restaurant had been awarded three Michelin stars, making him the first Scottish chef to win that top honour. It still holds those stars today, and is considered one of London's best fine dining restaurants.

The start of a restaurant empire

Nestled away down a quiet street in Chelsea, central London, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay remains the jewel in the crown of the chef’s towering empire, despite its small and relatively unassuming dining room. In 2023, Gordon released Restaurant Gordon Ramsay: A Story of Excellence, giving readers an intimate glimpse behind the scenes at the venue and detailing his constantly evolving quest for culinary perfection, as well as providing recipes for 40 signature dishes.

Gordon wins over France

In 2008, Gordon’s influence spread to France and he remains an important culinary force there today, thanks to the one Michelin-starred Gordon Ramsay au Trianon located within the stunning Hôtel Trianon Palace in Versailles and Le Pressoir D’Argent Gordon Ramsay at the luxurious InterContinental Bordeaux. The latter has two Michelin stars, making Gordon one of only two Brits to hold Michelin stars in France.

Worldwide domination

As of March 2023, The Gordon Ramsay Group had 58 restaurants across the globe, in areas as far-flung and diverse as Las Vegas, Singapore, Baltimore, Seoul and Dubai. The internationally renowned chef currently holds seven Michelin stars and has 12 bars and restaurants in London alone, ranging from modern French fine dining at the one Michelin-starred Pétrus to gourmet pizza spot Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza (pictured).

Other British eateries

Gordon’s also been savvy enough to trade on his reputation by launching an array of casual eateries over the years. While not fine dining, the Ramsay name ensures it’s still fine food. Examples include the Bread Street Kitchen brand (which has branches in London, Edinburgh and Liverpool, as well as in the UAE) and the York & Albany in London, which serve simple European fare, plus pre-flight dining with a difference at Plane Food (pictured) in London Heathrow’s Terminal 5.

Ramsay in the US

He’s also brought his brand of gourmet British food to the other side of the Atlantic, with spots like Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips (in Las Vegas, Orlando, New York City and Washington DC) and Gordon Ramsay Pub and Grill, in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. One of his biggest successes in the US is Gordon Ramsay Burger, with branches in Boston, Chicago and Las Vegas.

Disappointments

Its not all been plain sailing though and Gordon has experienced his fair share of disappointments. He admits to crying when he lost two of his Michelin stars; “It’s like losing a girlfriend. You want her back,” he said, when his now-closed New York restaurant at The London was stripped of its awards. In 2008, he opened another spot in The London West Hollywood Hotel on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles (his first in the Western US) but it met the same fate, closing in 2015.

Accolades and social media greatness

Gordon was given an OBE in 2006, inducted into the Culinary Hall of Fame in 2013 and has an impressive social media following: more than 20 million subscribers on YouTube, seven million followers on Twitter or X (where he has gained notoriety for hilariously critiquing other people's attempts at cooking), and 24 million followers on Facebook. In 2023, Gordon, along with American celebrity chef Nick DiGiovanni, set the Guinness World Record for largest beef Wellington; it measured 2 feet 5 inches (76cm).

Friends and foes

Of course, you're unlikely to become as successful as Gordon – or speak with such candour – without ruffling a few feathers and making a few foes. Over the years his volatile personality has led to well-publicised spats with chefs Jamie Oliver, Marco Pierre White, Mario Batali (pictured, left) and Bobby Flay (pictured on the right). He also fell out with his father-in-law, Chris. Plenty of people remain firm supporters of Team Ramsay, though, including long-term friend David Beckham.

Fighting fit

These days Gordon is something of a fitness fanatic, and is well-known for his commitment to running, cycling and swimming, He’s a keen triathlon and Ironman competitor, and a marathon runner; in 2009 he fulfilled an ambition to run 10 marathons in 10 years and has since completed five more, as well as a number of ultra-marathons.

TV triumphs

Gordon has achieved further international fame thanks to his multiple TV shows, many of which air around the world. In the UK, there was Boiling Point, The F-Word and Gordon’s Great Escapes, as well as Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares and Hell’s Kitchen, which were modified for American audiences and made the chef a star stateside.

More recently, he has appeared on British screens in Gordon, Gino and Fred, Gordon Behind Bars and Gordon Ramsay: Shark Bait. Ever entrepreneurial, in 2016 he launched his own production company, Studio Ramsay, which develops concepts and shows in both the US and UK.

Ramsay the writer

The chef is also an author of numerous books, many of which have become bestsellers around the world, including his three autobiographies: Humble Pie, Playing with Fire and Roasting in Hell’s Kitchen. He has also penned more than 20 recipe books, including Ramsay in 10, Quick and Delicious and Gordon Ramsay’s Ultimate Home Cooking.

Gordon the family man

Gordon is father to five children with wife Tana: Megan, Matilda (who's known as Tilly), twins Jack and Holly, and Oscar James. Tilly has become a food star in her own right, presenting a popular UK children's TV series called Matilda and the Ramsay Bunch from 2015-2019 and releasing a cookbook, Tilly’s Kitchen Takeover, inspired by the show. She was also a contestant on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 and her dad was a regular fixture in the studio audience.

A nurturer at heart

Beyond the shouting and expletives, Gordon has a nurturing side. He’s encouraged by others people’s drive and determination and is known to reward hard work and potential, and to offer promising chefs and TV contestants work experience or jobs. In 2014, he and his wife set up the Gordon and Tana Ramsay Foundation in order to help and support charities that are important to them.

What's he worth?

As of 2023, Gordon's net worth is estimated at a whopping £610 million ($748m), thanks to his forays into TV and books, and his earnings as a chef and restaurateur. He was the only chef featured in Forbes' Celebrity 100 list in 2020, ranking No.19 with $70 million in earnings that year. He currently splits his time between the US and the UK, with luxurious homes in Los Angeles and Wandsworth, South London.

Now try Gordon’s recipe for stuffed chicken breasts wrapped in Parma ham