Chef Gordon Ramsay gained notoriety for his no-nonsense persona on the cooking show Hell’s Kitchen. Regardless of his tough-talking nature, his fanbase is as strong as they come, and he has a lot to show for the years he has been in the restaurant business. It is perhaps his lack of tolerance for mediocrity that led to him making it as far as he has. Gordon Ramsay means business. Contestants on Hell’s Kitchen have obviously seen and experienced the very best and worst of the strict restaurateur.
His stern demeanor aside, Ramsay’s rise to the top fits into that of a self-made entrepreneur’s stereotype. His childhood was ‘hopelessly itinerant,’ owing to his father’s alcoholic habits and womanizing ways. Determined to create a new life for himself, Chef Ramsay moved out of home at the age of 16. Though he was off to a rocky start, his days of washing pots at an Indian restaurant are since gone. Here’s everything Chef Ramsay has achieved:
10 A Degree In Hotel Management
Gordon Ramsay decided to fully commit to education when he turned 19, though he describes his entry into the field as ‘a complete accident.’ His education at North Oxfordshire Technical College was through sponsorship by Rotarians. At the school, Ramsay majored in hotel management. His decision to go to school would come full circle, as the celebrity chef is about to open his own school.
9 Being Mentored By Guy Savoy
Most success stories often include mentorship. In the music industry, for instance, some artists like Jay-Z thug it out on their own and rise to the top unaided by gatekeepers. Others, like Big Sean, come in under the leadership of established brands such as Kanye West. To work under Guy Savoy when he was only 23 years old was therefore Ramsay’s perfect opportunity to learn the ropes of the industry.
8 Learning French And Italian Cuisines
So young in his career, Gordon Ramsay set himself apart by feeding his curiosity. He had a desire to learn different cuisines in order to advance his career. His hope came in the form of Albert Roux, who offered him a place at a ski resort in the French Alps. He expanded his knowledge of French cuisine by working under Guy Savoy. Later, he would learn Italian cuisine by working as a private chef on a yacht.
7 Becoming A Head Chef
In 1993, Ramsay made his way back to London. He returned as the head chef of La Tante Claire, a restaurant in Chelsea. He would later assume the same position through a partnership with Marco Pierre White, under who he had worked. The deal saw him own a 10% stake in Aubergine, the restaurant. Only fourteen months into Ramsay’s leadership, the restaurant won its first Michelin star.
6 Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
In July 1988, Ramsay’s partnership with Marco Pierre White and his business partners came to an end. He had long had a dream of owning his own restaurant, and that’s exactly what he did. In 1998, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay was born. The three Michelin star restaurant is still in operation and boasts good reviews. For eight years running, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay was voted first place in Harden’s.
5 A Successful Run On Television
Gordon Ramsay’s relentlessness saw him rise to fame through the British show Boiling Point. Since 1999, he has been a familiar face on both television and the big screen. Some of the television shows he’s been on are Hell’s Kitchen, Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, Master Chef, and Hotel Hell. He made an appearance on Love’s Kitchen and Burnt and voiced Baker Smurf on Smurfs: The Lost Village.
4 A Million-Dollar Business Empire
Since starting his inaugural restaurant, a chain of others restaurants has followed. In 2007, Gordon Ramsay’s 69% stake in Gordon Ramsay Holdings was estimated to be worth $67 million. The number has obviously shot up the roof since. The company has invested in restaurants and pubs all over the world. Its vast chain includes ‘The Fat Cow’ and ‘Union Street Café,’ a collaboration with David Beckham. It is set to open 100 more restaurants by 2024, following a partnership with Lion Capital.
3 A Ton Of Awards, And Recognition From The Queen
Ramsay’s consistent excellence has afforded him elite recognition in the culinary world. In addition to his restaurants meeting Michelin standards, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire by the queen. Ramsay has also won three Catey awards as Newcomer of the Year, Chef of the Year, and Independent Restauranteur of the Year.
2 The Guinness Book Of Records
As if his achievements are not enough already, Gordon Ramsay stretched himself further. In 2017, Ramsay entered the Guinness Book of Records by recording the ‘Fastest Time to Fillet a 10lb Fish.’ Ramsay set the time at one minute and fifteen seconds. Later that year, he also set the world record for ‘Longest Pasta Sheet Rolled in 60 Seconds.’ The roll was 1.45 meters in length.
1 An Induction Into The Culinary Hall Of Fame
Gordon Ramsay’s achievements go on and on, they could fill an entire book. Speaking of books, he has published a number of them. Perhaps the peak of Ramsay’s career was being inducted into the Culinary Hall of Fame in January of 2013. With The Gordon Ramsay Academy coming up, it’s certain that we haven’t experience the last of the top chef, and one of the world’s highest-earning celebrities.