Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Gordon Ramsay

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Gordon Ramsay.

Gordon Ramsay is a British celebrity chef, restaurateur, television personality, and writer renowned for his culinary expertise and fiery on-screen persona. He founded Gordon Ramsay Restaurants in 1997, which has accumulated 17 Michelin stars; eight are currently held. His flagship restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, has maintained three stars since 2001. Ramsay gained prominence through the British television series Boiling Point and has since become a globally recognized and influential figure in the culinary world.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1998: Lawsuit from A-Z restaurants

In 1998, following Ramsay's resignation from the Aubergine, A-Z restaurants sued him for £1 million, but eventually settled out of court.

2003: Lie About Vegetarian Soup

In 2003, Ramsay admitted to lying to a table of vegetarians by claiming artichoke soup was made with vegetable stock when it contained chicken stock.

2005: Pizza Incident on Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares

In 2005, on Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, Ramsay offered a vegetarian a pizza that he claimed was vegetarian, but then revealed it contained ham.

June 2006: High Court win against London Evening Standard

In June 2006, Ramsay won a High Court case against the London Evening Standard newspaper, which had alleged fakery in Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares.

June 2007: Lawsuit from former general manager of Purnima

In June 2007, Ramsay's show was sued by the terminated general manager of the New York restaurant Purnima, who alleged fakery in Kitchen Nightmares.

August 2007: Dismissal of Purnima lawsuit

In August 2007, the lawsuit filed by the former general manager of the New York restaurant Purnima against Ramsay's show was dismissed and ordered into arbitration.

2007: Joke about Vegetarian Children

In a 2007 interview, Ramsay joked about electrocuting his children if they ever became vegetarian.

2008: Fall out with Wareing

In 2008, Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing fell out. Wareing kept the restaurant premises and the stars of Pétrus, while Ramsay received rights to the name.

April 2009: Pre-Prepared Food Controversy

On 17 April 2009, it was revealed that one of Ramsay's restaurants, Foxtrot Oscar, used pre-prepared food with high mark-ups, along with three of his gastropubs in London.

June 2009: Insult Exchange with Tracy Grimshaw

In June 2009, Ramsay traded insults with Australian journalist Tracy Grimshaw during the Melbourne Food and Wine festival. He later apologized.

October 2010: Unauthorized Company Systems Access

From October 23, 2010 Gordon Ramsay's father-in-law, Chris Hutcheson and his sons, accessed company systems almost 2,000 times between 23 October 2010 and 31 March 2011.

October 2010: Chris Hutcheson Leaves Gordon Ramsay Holdings

On 19 October 2010, Chris Hutcheson left his position as CEO of Gordon Ramsay Holdings Limited, marking a significant change in the company's leadership.

2010: Ramsay Reflects on the Controversy

In 2010, Ramsay reflected on the controversy of using pre-prepared food, being unapologetic about it.

March 2011: Unauthorized Company Systems Access

Until March 31, 2011 Gordon Ramsay's father-in-law, Chris Hutcheson and his sons, accessed company systems almost 2,000 times between 23 October 2010 and 31 March 2011.

March 2012: $2.7 million lawsuit against Laurier Gordon Ramsay

In March 2012, Ramsay filed a $2.7 million lawsuit against his former partners of his restaurant in Montreal, Quebec, the Laurier Gordon Ramsay, over lost licensing fees and defamatory statements.

January 2014: High Court loss in York & Albany pub case

In January 2014, Ramsay lost a high court case related to the York & Albany pub, where he claimed his father-in-law misused a "ghost writing" machine. He was ordered to pay legal costs and outstanding monies, totaling over one million pounds.

2016: Twitter Comment on Vegans

In 2016, Ramsay joked on Twitter that he was allergic to "Vegans", clarifying that it was a joke and he meant "vegetarians".

April 2017: Chris Hutcheson Pleads Guilty to Hacking

In April 2017, Chris Hutcheson pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to hack into the computers of Gordon Ramsay Holdings Limited, revealing a serious breach of trust and security.

June 2017: Chris Hutcheson Jailed

In June 2017, Ramsay's father-in-law, Chris Hutcheson, was jailed for six months for conspiring to hack a computer system relating to the Ramsays' business interests.

March 2020: Layoffs due to coronavirus lockdown

On 24 March 2020, Ramsay laid off over 500 staff in the UK after his restaurants temporarily closed due to the coronavirus lockdown, leading to criticism.

March 2022: Comments About Cornish People

On 23 March 2022, Ramsay remarked in an interview for BBC Radio 2, "Trust me I absolutely love Cornwall, it's just the Cornish I can't stand."

May 2022: $4.5 Million Judgement in Fat Cow Gordon Ramsay Case

In May 2022, A New York Superior Court judge ended an eight-year legal battle between Gordon Ramsay and his former business partner at The Fat Cow Gordon Ramsay restaurant in Los Angeles, Rowan Seibel, ruling that Gordon Ramsay should be paid $4.5 million in damages and court fee coverage.