BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 23 Jan 07 - 05:35 AM

Depends on your idea of 'making it in life'. Not everyone counts their blessings in coin of the realm.

My idea of 'making it' is to have people who love me, people I love, food enough to be able to share, and at my death, someone say 'she was a good person, tried her hardest not to hurt anyone, one of the best'.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Scrump
Date: 23 Jan 07 - 05:26 AM

The bottom line, though, is that he's close to genius as a cook - I tend towards inverse snobbery when it comes to food, and don't know one end of a classy menu from the other, but when I've eaten at Claridges I've had no trouble recognising that I've moved into a different dimension.

Your comments are interesting Rusty Dobro. But it's just food, when it comes down to it. Do we need to get that excited about it? Yes, I've been for good meals (not at Ramsay's, but I've eaten in restaurants run by other good chefs such as Rick Stein, Robert Carrier, etc.) and appreciated them, but I think maybe you can go over the top with something as basic as cooking a meal.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: bubblyrat
Date: 22 Jan 07 - 01:43 PM

Aren"t we humans funny?? We look down,with contempt,upon those who haven"t "made it" in life---Losers, No-hopers, Wasters,Loafers,we cry !!! Then,when we encounter someone who HAS made a success of their life,out comes the Envy and the Jealousy !! They are,of course, Loud-mouthed,self-opinionated,egocentric,ruthless,ambitious,thoughtless,cruel,domineering-----the list goes on & on & on,if you want it to .Now, I don"t much care for Gordon Ramsey as a person,& I wouldn"t go out of my way to make his acquaintance, BUT he is GOOD TELEVISION, he KNOWS WHAT HE"S TALKING ABOUT, and I enjoy watching him shake people up and turn LOSERS into WINNERS ------I only wish to GOD that I had the talent to do that !! He must be a very happy & contented total prat ---but I suspect that not all Prats are. HUMANUM EST ERRARE !!!

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 22 Jan 07 - 12:42 PM

My nephew works for Gordon Ramsay (he's the 'different chef' referred to in Chanteyranger's post of 01:27 above.) He has followed him to three different restaurants over the years, and despite being headhunted by various household names, wouldn't work for anyone else.

I've met Gordon several times now, and firmly believe the following to be true, even if mutually exclusive: Gordon has immense personal charm; he makes you think you matter, even when there's no advantage to him. He is considerate to his staff, and rewards ability; he is inconsiderate to his staff, and makes demands on them which verge on slavery sometimes. He has absolutely no tolerance of the second-rate. Anyone who stays the distance in one of his restaurants will end up as a chef with the best CV in the world, grateful as hell, and glad they don't have to do it all again. He has had his sensitivity filter removed, so that he will make the cruellest remarks to harmless people who get deeply hurt. The bottom line, though, is that he's close to genius as a cook - I tend towards inverse snobbery when it comes to food, and don't know one end of a classy menu from the other, but when I've eaten at Claridges I've had no trouble recognising that I've moved into a different dimension.

Oh, and as far as I can tell on my limited acquaintance, the 'trade-mark' swearing is just that: he turns it on in the kitchen and when the cameras roll. His decision: his multi-millions.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Jan 07 - 11:20 AM

I wonder if he is trying to tone down his image? Last night I saw a bit of his show. A customer returned an appetiser, said it was disgusting and refused to pay for the meal.

He turned to his kitchen staff who stood by in terror and asked them what they should do? One said "Get the rest of the meal right" and he agreed and sent them all back to the kitchen. No shouting. No swearing.

I changed the channel because I can't stand him anyway. Much prefer Iron Chef and the latest reality show Top Chef(?) where one contestant keeps screwing up (adding sugar to a low cal meal, eg) then bursting into tears when she gets caught.

No - I do not spend valuable productive time on this. The reruns go on at about 1AM when I pay my bills.

I do enjoy The Barefoot Contessa as well. She has absolute orgasms over food. Hilarious.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Scrump
Date: 22 Jan 07 - 10:15 AM

The only programme I've enjoyed watching at all is the one where he goes into failing restaurants and tries to turn them around. Some of the idiots who try to run a restaurant haven't a clue how to go about it, and while I partly feel pity for some of them, it's often great comedy.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Rasener
Date: 22 Jan 07 - 09:25 AM

He is a wind up merchant, who only wants the best. Can't see much wrong with that.

However I don't approve of the way he continually swears at people. Its not really necessary.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Scrump
Date: 22 Jan 07 - 09:09 AM

Yes, he comes across as an arrogant b*****d. No doubt he must be good at his job or he wouldn't have got where he is. I find his constant unnecessary swearing on TV tiresome - I'm no prude, but there's no need to use the 'f' word every few seconds like he does. He obviously thinks it's 'cool' or 'clever', like an 11-year old would. He'd get more respect from me if he grew up and acted his age.

As for eating in his restaurants, no way! I can't afford a second mortgage.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 22 Jan 07 - 07:56 AM

Chanteyranger - the salient part in your comment above is 'different chef there, but Ramsay's recipes'.

You could give 10 people an identical recipe & ingredients and you would end up with 10 different dishes. Every cook/chef puts things together differently, regardless of who is overseeing them or which instructions they are following. When I worked in a restaurant, you could tell who had made certain dishes even though the 3 cooks/chefs we had there used the same recipes. Some were better at the mushroom roasts than nut roasts, others made better curry than me. I was the only person who could get the nut and rice rissoles to stick properly, even though the others copied me.

We provided a good, healthy, prompt and hygenic food service without any recourse to swearing, shouting, screaming or slapping. We were Egon Ronay recommended and in several good food guides.

Almost a year since my last posting here, I'm still convinced that Mr Ramsay is more concerned with his money and fame, than he is with the welfare of his staff or his customers. If he can lie and joke about meat in a vegetarian dish then how can we trust him when he says there is no fish or nut product in other dishes?

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 22 Jan 07 - 01:27 AM

I have to say, though, that since I posted, I went to the second restaurant he opened, at the Clarridge hotel, on my November '05 trip to England, and it was one of the best meals I've ever had, if not the best. Different chef there, but Ramsay's recipes and Ramsay oversees the operation. Whatever his faults, he ain't a phony .His reputation as a topnotch chef is well earned. No wonder he has Michelin 3 stars at his flagship restaurant. Yikes, I'd hate to work for him, though.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: GUEST,M Sorrenti
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 10:48 PM

I just saw the bbc kitchen nightmare with the vege bloke.
Feel sorry for the chap. Actually feel bad for the owner of Lanterna. Ramsay displayed to bbc viewership how much of a faccia di merda his ristorante is.
Vegeterians outraged over Ramsay's tele monkey business. I am surprised thou at him, with his excellent knowledge of food and the workings of restaurent business. He put the customer last. I guess it's kinda of like yank auto workers having agro over hydrogen fuel cell cars. Anyroad. Ramsay knows the business and is rich. So he must be licking more ass then kicking vege ones.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Little Hawk
Date: 31 May 05 - 03:09 PM

William Shatner has done the chef routine on TV a few times. He raised it to a whole new level. Of course, that goes without saying, right?

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: GUEST,Mrs Miggins
Date: 31 May 05 - 06:26 AM

I 'ad that Gordon Rammy in me pie shop once, 'e tried to tell me 'ow to make pies, cheeky bugger.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 31 May 05 - 04:18 AM

His show "Hell's Kitchen" premiered in the U.S. on the Fox channel Monday night. The producers are surely cashing in on the trend to have elimination contest shows, such as Elimidate, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, and some show that was on recently about amateur boxers competing to see who would be the champion of......well.....the champion of that particular TV show. So, now here's a restaurateur variation on this elimination contest theme. Entertaining? Yes. I'm sitting there thinking "what a jerk," but I watched it from beginning to end. The producers know exactly what they're doing. They know the market. Yeah, it's lowest common denominator TV, a sort of "guilty pleasure" experience. Does he strive for perfection in his subordinates through bullying and heaping abuse on them? Yes. Restaurant kitchens are known to be places that are not pretty. As Anthony Bourdain shows in "Kitchen Confiderntial," there's a rough, stressed, macho culture in those kitchens. But, this guy looks to be WAY over the top with it. This vegetarian incident, though, goes much further. Really unethical.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 31 May 05 - 02:23 AM

GUEST of 26 May 05 - 07:37 PM

So are people made of meat - going to let me tuck in to a nice piece of roast ass of GUEST? No... some people feel the same revulsion at eating bits of dead animal. I worked for 8 years in a restaurant that specialised in vegetarian/vegan meals and the regulations were such that we had to have separate storage and utensils for meat products and a specially designated area in the kitchen for its preparation. It was just as strict as the rules for preparing halal or kosher foods.

Were I that vegetarian and could prove that I'd deliberately been fed meat despite being told otherwise, I would be sueing the ass off that unthinking, malicious bastard. It's the same sort of mentality that thinks it funny to spike drinks at parties and accept no responsibility for the consequences.

And GUEST of 26 May 05 - 12.30 PM - I agree. If you were subjected to physical violence by any other person in any other job or situation, you would not accecpt it. That person is breaking the law - it's called assault. So, in the UK at least, is shouting at someone. That's called common assault and is a chargeable offense. If his behaviour were used in any other situation, Ramsay would be finding himself looking at a disciplinary hearing at least, if not a new job before the end of the week.

It may be good television, and it may get the point across, but it's not happening on MY telly and there is more than one way to skin an orange.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: GUEST,Cubby
Date: 30 May 05 - 09:46 PM

I don't know why chef's have such bad attitudes when they don't even have real jobs. Its not like anyone really needs these people. Its like Ramsay has a little Napolian complex as he doesn't have the cranial capacity to get a real job.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: LadyJean
Date: 27 May 05 - 12:33 AM

I used to love the Galloping Gourmet, when I was a girl. He opened his show with a dirty joke. Then he got drunk while he cooked. I never see Kirchewasser that I don't think of him.
Gordon Ramsay sounds like a real jerk. I'm not a vegetarian. But I don't like meat pizzas. For me the perfect pizza has mushrooms, black olives, onions and a bit of feta with the mozzarella. (The real Mystic Pizza in Mystic Connecticut serves something like it.) I've got a friend who's allergic to meat. He could have made someone sick with that stupid prank. He deserves a nice big Ex Lax chocolate cake. (Simply subsitute Ex Lax for baking chocolate.)

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: GUEST
Date: 26 May 05 - 07:37 PM

If we aren't supposed to eat animals why are they made out of meat?

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Little Hawk
Date: 26 May 05 - 04:59 PM

I love that word, "prat". You Brits are so lucky to have it. It always makes me think of a small fish of some kind. And it conjures up such a delightful image of the complete inanity of the person being referred to.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Tam the man
Date: 26 May 05 - 01:30 PM

As I said he is a complete Arsehole (to use his words).

he's under pressure, what a load of crap, he makes more money than some of you, he's got other people to work for him, as I said it's not clever to swear, if he treated his workers with a little bit more respect, then he might get the job done in half the time.

If he spoke to like that I would belt him in the face, and I would feel really great.

Maybe some should do that to him because he not only an arsehole but a two faced arsehole.

Tom

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: GUEST
Date: 26 May 05 - 12:33 PM

I doubt if he has any trouble getting recruits to willingly sign up to learn from his expertise. Probably a list of them as long as your arm. They know they will learn the best, from the best, and then go on to their own kitchens or continue working under him. Those who can't handle the heat etc...

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: GUEST
Date: 26 May 05 - 12:30 PM

Just because he works like he does and insults people DOES NOT MEAN IT IS CORRECT and he should not be worshipped for it.

"occasionally smack others its in the job"

It should not be in the job, if it happens it needs stopping we do not have to accept being treated in this way.

You do not go to work to be treated like a piece of shit so do not accept it.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: girochaser
Date: 26 May 05 - 12:11 PM

Well to be honest he is one of the most respected chefs in the world would run a great kitchen anywhere. For those who havent worked in a real pressure kitchen then people do shout swear and occasionally smack others its in the job. But for this guy who is a "celebrity" still runs his own kitchens and works 18 hour days then good on him. He has found a way of getting his style of cooking across and people watch him.
Why? Because he is different

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: GUEST
Date: 26 May 05 - 10:51 AM

I think he is trying to tell you that you can, and should, eat your own shit because it is organic.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Blowzabella
Date: 26 May 05 - 10:17 AM

and your point is what, exactly?

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Once Famous
Date: 25 May 05 - 11:39 AM

Yeah, vegetarians who love organic food forget that their own shit is organic.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: GUEST
Date: 25 May 05 - 07:43 AM

I'd rather eat from his kitchen though, knowing he is passionate about hygiene and ingredients.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: GUEST,sklenge
Date: 25 May 05 - 05:06 AM

I was appalled at his attitude, which reflected the attitude of the chef and head waiter idiot. In effect Ramsay was showing himself no better than the prats at Lanterna for his disrespect for punters.

I don't like Ramsay anyway with all his pointless posing... It was so obvious that HE was the one who was desperately jealous of that foul car reg. plate he couldn't keep thinking about it.

Any professional chef who lies about the ingredients he has used is playing a very dangerous game with fate. I don't suppose he would have got away with laughing about feeding ham to a muslim.

Another annoying part of the irony is that Letchworth is renowned as a Quaker town - filled to the brim with vegetarians. His chances of finding a vegetarian passer by were significantly higher there than anywhere else GB.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Terry K
Date: 25 May 05 - 04:20 AM

The whole basis of this thread is totally misleading. I saw the programme last night. GR was consulting for an Italian restaurant which was palpably going down the pan business-wise and food-wise.

GR had suggested they actually use real food - fresh ingredients - and suggested two pizza recipes for them to prepare, and do a random test on passers-by as to whether they liked them or not.

While the waitresses were handing out slices of pizza, GR who was observing, spoke to a youth who was wearing a typical veggie "uniform" (no stereotypes here), saying something like "you look like a vegetarian".

When the guy said he was, GR pointed out to the girls that they had served a veggie some pizza with ham in it. He was quite amused that the guy had already said he liked it, as was everybody else - all falling about laughing in fact.

"The incident has infuriated vegetarians, who have denounced Ramsay's actions as offensive and unethical".

Why am I not surprised at this statement?

Ramsey's was not to blame for the incident happening - his only fault in the situation was to find it amusing. Also fairly predictable, given his nature. Believe me, he is not the type to pussyfoot around a situation, nor can I imagine him being prepared to tread on eggshells around someone's dietary preferences.

Surely the veggie guy knows that pizza often contains meat? Why did he not ask? Which one is the bigger prat? I'm no great fan of Ramsay incidentally, but fair's fair.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Chorusgirl
Date: 24 May 05 - 05:45 PM

Saw him briefly on tele tonight - but luckily knew where the off switch was. He is crude and ignorant if he thinks how he speaks and treats people is good and should be copied - there is something sadly wrong.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Once Famous
Date: 24 May 05 - 03:26 PM

this Ramsey is a bad boy outlaw after my own heart.

This is real theater at it's finest.

All vegetarians should know how to enjoy a great cheeseburger.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Tam the man
Date: 24 May 05 - 01:48 PM

People like Gordon Ramsey who swear all the time are just idiots who have very little brians, they are showing how ignorant they are.

I don't think he's a prat but in his words a fucking rich prat ( arsehole)

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: GUEST
Date: 24 May 05 - 08:31 AM

You certainly bear more than a passing resemblance to a cow's behind.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: GUEST,Lee
Date: 24 May 05 - 04:45 AM

Tossers.... ALL VEGE's..... You are what you eat! you Turnips!
Sweet! :)

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Sooz
Date: 23 May 05 - 02:07 PM

Both of them.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: GUEST
Date: 23 May 05 - 01:18 PM

Tosser.
Lee that is
C.D

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Stu
Date: 23 May 05 - 11:19 AM

Gordon Ramsey that is.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Stu
Date: 23 May 05 - 11:16 AM

Tosser.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: GUEST,Lee
Date: 23 May 05 - 05:50 AM

Hahahaha!!! That is awesome! I wish I would of thought of it first, it's going to make awesome TV. I personally find this piss funny and it'll have me chuckling for weeks.... Yes you may think I've got a sick sense of humour... AND YOU'D BE RIGHT!!! DICE. All you vege's out there, I hope you took your leather shoes off to bitch and moan!
POWER TO RAMSEY!!! Sweeeet!

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: GUEST
Date: 19 May 05 - 05:12 AM

"I'm afraid the ...........of our world are the product of our contemporary society, which seems to think it OK for people to behave and speak in a boorish and foul-mouthed manner so long as they exhibit some apparent redeeming factor, such as being able to cook a decent meal, or kick a football into a goal with some regularity, and grant them celebrity status as a result."

.....or play the concertina?

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 19 May 05 - 04:45 AM

Dave, I agree in all but one point. Indeed, foul language is "trendy" now - witness the appearance of the FUKC label and the FAQ-U TV programme. Or the language used in some of those pseudo-trendy programmes on Channel Four.

Where I disagree is that you're cutting Mr Ramsay some slack, as if his environment is forcing him to behave in such a manner. Sorry - I think THAT is the real Gordon Ramsay that we see, free of basic decency and free of inhibitions.

Others in his profession and of similar stature not only behave in a more civil manner, but also try to give back something from what fortune has bestowed upon them - Jamie Oliver is one such example, and there are plenty of others.

So, no excuses for GR. And no custom from me either. And the same holds for some of my colleagues, who regularly have business dinners at establishments such as his.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Dave Masterson
Date: 18 May 05 - 10:48 AM

I'm afraid the Gordon Ramsay's of our world are the product of our contemporary society, which seems to think it OK for people to behave and speak in a boorish and foul-mouthed manner so long as they exhibit some apparent redeeming factor, such as being able to cook a decent meal, or kick a football into a goal with some regularity, and grant them celebrity status as a result.

I for one would not cross the street to dine at Gordon Ramsay's restaurant's, even if you paid me, not because I think he is not a good chef, which he most probably is, but simply because if find his behaviour so offensive. A few years back someone of his temperament would have quickly been shown the door by the media, and his restaurant's would soon have been empty. Nowadays he gets a TV series. I think we've lost the plot somewhere, don't you?

Today it is not only trendy to be foul-mouthed (and I am sad to say, some Mudcat contributors are no exception), but if you want to get to the top of the heap (dung-heap though it is) it seems to be compulsory, and those who find this sort of behaviour offensive are ridiculed and laughed at.

Having said that, I'm sure that underneath the arrogance, bad language and lack of respect, the real Gordon Ramsay is screaming to get out. I wonder what went wrong.

I feel we are all to blame to some extent, and we all need to clean up our act, because if we don't the Gordon Ramsay's and their ilk will continue to prosper.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: GUEST,jOhn
Date: 16 May 05 - 12:23 PM

I know someone who has worked with Gordon Ramsy, he said he's a total arseole.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: GUEST
Date: 16 May 05 - 09:15 AM

At least he doesn't head butt his customers. Any vegetarian who has eaten out at a restaurant that isnt a specialised veggie one, has had more than a whiff of animal, whether it be the stock/oil/pans/utensils/.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 16 May 05 - 08:31 AM

I suspect that Gordon Ramsey considers himself to be more of an artist than a pissed up, head butting folkie! He is also considerably richer no doubt. Good point Blowzabella.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: GUEST,smiler
Date: 16 May 05 - 08:06 AM

An artist disrespects themself, if they don't respect other people.

However someone who knocks a meal together is not exactly an artist.

I like to think I can cook a good curry, but wouldn't call it an art.

Ramsey got lucky in his field.

Apart from that, I'd like to second the previous poster who implied he is an arsehole.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: GUEST,Blowzabella at work
Date: 16 May 05 - 07:51 AM

Scuse me for asking, and I'm not out to defend Gordon Ramsey by any stretch of the imagination but, in principle, doesn't this thread fall into the same category as one not so long ago about a performer at at recent festival who misbehaved? Will someone come along sooner or later and say that, if Gordon gave a vegetarian meat to eat, he must have had a good reason for it and people should have a taste of his food before they go slagging him off.....he is an artist, after all, and they are sensitive types......

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 16 May 05 - 06:16 AM

True! I've got FOUR Michelin tyres on my van, and I'm still a total arsehole.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: shepherdlass
Date: 16 May 05 - 06:12 AM

And this is the man who spewed when someone fed him a dodgy scallop. Like all bullies, he doesn't like it when he gets the same treatment he dishes out to others. It's time he grew up and learned a Michelin star doesn't necessarily make you a good person.

Subject: RE: BS: Gordon Ramsay...total prat!
From: open mike
Date: 16 May 05 - 01:44 AM

cuz assholes is what they put in hot dogs, and sausages, among other things.