About The Show
Famed chef and Michelin Star winner Gordon Ramsay steps out of his own
five-star establishments and into some of the country's most unsanitary
and unsuccessful restaurants to help them turn their businesses around
or close their doors forever.
Each week, Chef Ramsay will attempt to turn one ordinary and empty
restaurant into the most popular, sought-after venue in town. He
reveals the behind-the-scenes realities of running a restaurant and
wastes no time getting down to business - implementing signature menu
items, updating dated décor and making the restaurant run as smooth as
possible. With his reputation on the line, Ramsay accepts nothing less
than the best when it comes to the food, staff and customer service.
While still prone to the explosive outbursts and spectacular
confrontations familiar to fans, Ramsay reveals a sensitive and
nurturing side as he coaches, cheers and challenges the restaurant
staff, all the way from appetizers through dessert.
KITCHEN NIGHTMARES is a co-production of Granada America and Optomen in
association with A. Smith & Co. Arthur Smith, Kent Weed and
Patricia Llewellyn serve as executive producers.
Each week, Chef Ramsay will attempt to turn one ordinary and empty restaurant into the most popular, sought-after venue in town.
Scottish by birth, Gordon Ramsay was brought up in England after his parents moved south to Stratford-upon-Avon. His first career break came while playing football for Oxford United, where he was spotted by a Glasgow Rangers scout in a F.A. youth club match. After completing trials, he was signed by the Scottish champions at age 15. Three years later he gave up professional football and went back to college to complete a course in hotel management.
Ramsay then moved to London, where he joined Chef Marco Pierre White in the early days of Harvey's in Wandsworth. After a couple of years, he moved to Le Gavroche to work alongside Albert Roux. This was followed by three years of working in France in the kitchens of Guy Savoy and Joël Robuchon. Here he was able to enhance his expertise in classic French cooking.
In October 1993, Ramsay became chef of the newly opened Aubergine where he won many accolades, including two Michelin stars within three years of its debut.
Chef Ramsay published his first cookbook, "Passion for Flavour," in October 1996. His second book, "Passion for Seafood," was published in May 1999. "A Chef for All Seasons" was published in September 2000, followed by "Just Desserts" in September 2001, "Secrets" in 2003, "Gordon Ramsay Makes It Easy" in 2005, "Gordon Ramsay's Sunday Lunch" in 2006 and "Gordon Ramsay's Fast Food." His latest cookbook, "Gordon Ramsay's Healthy Appetite," was published in May 2008 and is the current No. 1 best-seller in the U.K. To date, Ramsay has sold over 4 million cookbooks worldwide.
In 1998, at age 31, Ramsay set up his first wholly owned restaurant, Gordon Ramsay, on the former site of La Tante Claire in Chelsea. Widely considered to be his flagship restaurant, Gordon Ramsay underwent a major refurbishment in 2006 and remains London's most sought-after dining establishment.
In 1999, Ramsay opened Pétrus in St. James's. Within seven months the restaurant won a Michelin star, and after relocating to Knightsbridge in 2003, won its second Michelin star in January 2007. In October 2001, Ramsay opened Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's, which gained a Michelin star in 2003.
While still prone to the explosive outbursts and spectacular confrontations familiar to fans, Ramsay reveals a sensitive and nurturing side ...
At the beginning of October 2002, Gordon Ramsay Holdings Limited took over the food and beverage operation at The Connaught Hotel with Angela Hartnett at the helm. Her restaurant, MENU, won its first Michelin star in January 2004, which it retained until GRH decided not to renew its contract with The Connaught in 2007. In 2003, Gordon Ramsay Holdings re-launched The Savoy Grill, and the restaurant achieved its Michelin star in 2004. This was later followed with the opening of Boxwood Café at The Berkeley.
May 2004 saw Ramsay star in "Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares," a series of
four one-hour programs that was honored with two BAFTA Awards and an
International Emmy. The program was launched simultaneously with the
recipe book "Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Heaven." Shortly after this,
Ramsay was given two weeks to direct a group of celebrities toward
Michelin-standard cooking in the hit ITV series "Hell's Kitchen."
The following year confirmed Ramsay as a major television talent. A
second season of "Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares" was followed by the very
successful U.S. version of HELL'S KITCHEN for FOX. November saw the
debut of "The F-Word," a high-octane food show with cooking, food
campaigns and celebrity guests. The action was set against the backdrop
of a working kitchen, and over the course of the show, Ramsay and his
brigade prepared three-course menus for diners.
In May 2005, Ramsay opened Maze Grill in London's Grosvenor Square with
Jason Atherton. Winning instant acclaim and a host of awards, Maze
showcases a flexible grazing menu focusing on French cuisine with Asian
influences in an informal and relaxed environment. In July 2005 Ramsay
opened his first restaurant in Japan at The Conrad Tokyo. The year was
rounded off with Gordon's award of an OBE (Order of the British Empire)
in the New Year's Honours list.
In 2006, a third season of "Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares" aired in the
U.K., and Season Two of HELL'S KITCHEN on FOX ranked No. 1 in its time
period among key demographics. In the U.K., a second season of "The
F-Word" was screened in June and garnered strong ratings. In May, a
range of Gordon Ramsay tableware became available through a partnership
with Royal Doulton. In October of the same year, Ramsay's
autobiography, "Humble Pie," was published by Harper Collins. The book,
which gives an honest account of his life in and out of the kitchen,
topped many of the best-seller charts.
In November 2006 Gordon Ramsay made his U.S. restaurant debut with the
opening of Gordon Ramsay at The London, in The London NYC Hotel, in New
York. The formal dining takes cues from Restaurant Gordon Ramsay on
Royal Hospital Road in Chelsea, whereas The London Bar offers a more
casual dining and bar experience, modeled on the small-plates concept
of Maze. The restaurant was awarded two coveted Michelin stars in 2007.
Gordon Ramsay Holdings opened Cielo at the exclusive Boca Raton Resort
and Club in Florida in January 2007. In March, Ramsay opened his first
pub, The Narrow in London's Limehouse. Located on the banks of the
Thames River, The Narrow serves classic British dishes in a relaxed
setting.
The fifth international Gordon Ramsay restaurant opened in Ireland
toward the end of the year at The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt. Ramsay
opened his second pub in the fall, The Devonshire, in Chiswick, and in
November Gordon opened Maze at the Hilton Prague Old Town.
In October 2007 Quadrille published "Gordon Ramsay Three Star Chef," a
beautifully produced coffee table book containing 50 of Gordon's
signature dishes from Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. October was also the
month that saw the publication of "Playing with Fire," Gordon's follow
up to "Humble Pie." Published by HarperCollins, the book gives an
insight into the success of the chef and his company Gordon Ramsay
Holdings.
The following year proved to be another busy one for Ramsay. January
saw the re-opening of Chelsea's classic neighborhood bistro, Foxtrot
Oscar, on Royal Hospital Road, just a few doors away from Ramsay's
eponymous restaurant. In early February, Gordon Ramsay Holdings added
the stunning Victorian pub, The Warrington in Maida Vale, to its
growing portfolio.
In March 2008, Ramsay opened his first restaurant in France at the
legendary Trianon Palace & Spa, a 199-room hotel located just steps
away from the famed Château de Versailles. March was also the month
that Ramsay opened Plane Food at the newly built, Richard
Rogers-designed Terminal 5 at London's Heathrow Airport.
In April 2008 Maze Grill opened in London's Grosvenor Square, directly
adjacent to Maze. Inspired by classic New York steakhouses, Maze Grill
serves a wide range of cuts of meat and fish cooked over coal. The
restaurant features butcher's block tables that allow guests the
opportunity to watch the chefs work.
June 2008 saw the opening of Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood
in Los Angeles, which came in the midst of HELL'S KITCHEN Season Four.
In August 2008, Ramsay, along with protégé Angela Hartnett, opened
Murano, a fine-dining restaurant in the heart of London's Mayfair that
was awarded a star in the 2009 UK Michelin Guide.
At the end of September 2008, Ramsay opened York and Albany, which is
located in a historic William Nash-designed building on the edge of
Regent's Park in London. It is composed of a restaurant with a bar, a
delicatessen and guest accommodations.
In January 2009, the premiere of HELL'S KITCHEN Season Five garnered
record-setting ratings. April 2009 saw the launch of Maze by Gordon
Ramsay at the One&Only Cape Town. Modeled on its British namesake,
the menu evokes the bountiful flavors of authentic South African
recipes.
In July 2009, nestled within one of Italy's most beautiful stretches of
countryside, the Ombrone Valley, Gordon will open a fine dining
restaurant at the exclusive Castel Monastero hotel. Simultaneously,
Season Six of HELL'S KITCHEN will premiere in the U.S. Gordon's TV
programs are now watched in over 80 worldwide territories.
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