Gordon Ramsay is mostly known for his affinity for swearing, dishing out tough love, and redefining culinary standards in every show he stars in. Since the early 2000s, he’s continually released a range of reality cooking shows, to great success, including his newest 2022 ventures Next Level Chef and Future Food Stars. But Ramsay is much more complex than the persona he showcases on TV.
There are things, not even someone who considers themselves a fan would necessarily know, and these things bring a lot more to his character than his continuous use of the F-word. If one doesn’t learn to look past that, they might miss out on the complex and interesting person Ramsay is.
He Has A Black Belt In Karate
Ramsay said he started karate because he believes it is a work of art. And like anything else in life, he worked hard on it for a couple of years until he got a black belt. Since Ramsay is a big proponent of hard work, this isn’t really surprising.
He was able to put his skill to the test in Hell’s Kitchen, where one of the contestants tried to slap him, and his quick reflexes allowed him to deflect the slap. The video also shows him calm and collected, attributing that to the discipline that goes along with karate. This is also the moment that delivers one of the best Gordon Ramsay quotes.
He Started As A Pot Washer
Even before he pursued a career as a chef, his first job was as a pot washer at a local Indian restaurant where his sister also worked as a waitress. Having those humble beginnings definitely means he appreciates everything he achieves in life even more.
Because he started from the bottom and built his entire empire by himself, he wants his children to do the same and is raising them to be hardworking people. He knows the importance and the value of working for everything you have because he’s done it himself.
He Wanted To Become A Professional Football Player
As a child, Ramsay had different ambitions than becoming a chef. He wanted to play professional football (or soccer). At age 12 he played for Warwickshire and later on played for the Glasgow Rangers. According to his autobiography, he played a few matches as a trialist.
But not everything went according to plans and Ramsay was badly injured, which saw those dreams ruined. After that, he went to culinary school and got his first job at a hotel at age 19.
He’s A Voice Actor
Gordon Ramsay has voiced more characters than anyone probably realizes. The characters usually share his love for food and cooking, so it’s highly likely he will voice a chef in an animated film.
He’s lent his voice to Bolton Gramercy in Big Hero 6, voiced a chef in Phineas and Ferb, and Mickey and The Roadster Racers, and even got to voice his cartoon self in series like The Simpsons.
He Once Threw Joan Collins Out
When Joan Collins attended one of Ramsay’s restaurants with a former food critic A. A. Gill, she probably didn’t expect to be thrown out by the owner himself. Even though he’s justly known as the mean guy – it is one of the most unpopular opinions about him – he’s usually only rude to those who deserve it.
However, Ramsay was so upset over Gill’s criticism of his food that he let his pride take over and the two were asked to leave the restaurant, resulting in a fuming actress, according to this interview. He did later apologize to Collins, claiming his mother had never forgiven him for kicking her out.
He Refused To Cook For Donald Trump
Perhaps not many people know that the one famous person Gordon would like to cook dinner for is Hillary Clinton. He’s no newbie to cooking for politics, as he had previously cooked for the British prime minister Tony Blair and his guest.
According to Daily Record UK, when he was asked to prepare a menu for a banquet at Blenheim Palace, which Trump was to attend, his answer wasn’t surprising – no, thank you. It’s always refreshing when a celebrity has values and sticks to them.
He Got Botox
Perhaps a less known fact about Ramsay is that he has had a botox procedure. It has to be tough to live in the spotlight, but for Ramsay, it was his family remarking on his wrinkles that made him do it. Sadly, elaborate facial expressions take their toll on the face.
He has since commented in an interview that he wouldn’t do it again and that it was his kids who continuously asked him why he looks so much older than their friend’s parents. This prompted him to get a cosmetic procedure to fill in some of his wrinkles, even though the person doing the procedure joked that “he’s not touching that forehead”.
He Got An Award From The Queen
He was awarded the title of OBE, which stands for Officer Of The Order Of The British Empire for services in the hospitality industry by Queen Elizabeth herself. However, Ramsay doesn’t seem to be the kind of person who enjoys reveling in his accolades.
He talked about it on Steven Colbert and when asked whether the ceremony involved a sword, he joked that the ceremony is receiving the medal and then being told to f*ck off by the Queen, which is exactly something he would say.
Softer Side
If one simply watched Ramsay’s legendary TV shows like Kitchen Nightmares and Hell’s Kitchen they might miss an entirely different side of him that often comes out with children.
When working on MasterChef Junior, he was very understanding of the fact that children are still learning, and was always quick to offer encouragement or advice. Even when one of the kids set a fire in the kitchen, he calmly resolved it without yelling or scaring the kid. Gordon Ramsay definitely has a softer side, it just doesn’t come out with ignorant adults.
His Children Will Not Inherit His Fortune
Gordon Ramsay started his fortune from nothing and had to work for it, so he doesn’t take it for granted. He wants his kids to have the same humility and therefore he announced that they would not be inheriting his millions. He also does not pay for them to fly first class unless they themselves can afford the ticket and they’re not allowed to eat at any of his restaurants.
There is much said about Ramsay and his character, but actions speak louder than words. He doesn’t want his kids to be blinded by fame and fortune and is raising them to be individuals with their own dreams and ambitions.