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 highly acclaimed British chef, restaurateur, television personality, and writer. He founded Gordon Ramsay Restaurants in 1997, which has earned a total of 17 Michelin stars; currently holding eight, his flagship restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, has maintained three Michelin stars since 2001. Gaining prominence through the television series Boiling Point in 1999, Ramsay has become one of the most renowned and influential chefs globally.

Sections (6)

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

1936: Renamed of Laurier Gordon Ramsay

On 21 March 2012, Ramsay filed a $2.7 million lawsuit against his former partners of his restaurant in Montreal, Quebec, the Laurier Gordon Ramsay (since renamed The Laurier 1936), over lost licensing fees and defamatory statements made against him.

1998: Lawsuit from A-Z Restaurants

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

2003: Vegetable Soup Incident

In 2003, Gordon Ramsay admitted to lying to vegetarians by telling them their artichoke soup was made with vegetable stock when it was actually made with chicken stock.

2005: Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares Vegetarian Incident

In 2005, Ramsay offered a vegetarian pizza with ham to a vegetarian on Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares.

June 2006: High Court Case 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 terminated general manager of Purnima

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

August 2007: Dismissal of lawsuit against Ramsay

In August 2007, the case against Ramsay was dismissed voluntarily and ordered into arbitration as stipulated in their contract.

2007: Vegetarian Electrocution Joke

In a 2007 interview, Ramsay joked about electrocuting his kids if they ever became vegetarians.

2007: signing of the 25-year lease of the York & Albany pub

Ramsay tried to nullify the 25-year lease, signed in 2007.

April 2009: Pre-Prepared Food Controversy

On 17 April 2009, it was revealed that Ramsay's restaurant, Foxtrot Oscar, used pre-prepared food, with mark-ups of up to 586%, as well as in three of his gastropubs.

June 2009: Insults with Tracy Grimshaw and Apology

In June 2009, Ramsay traded insults with Australian journalist Tracy Grimshaw, later apologizing and stating his behavior 'was a joke'.

October 2010: Father-in-Law Hacking

Between 23 October 2010 and 31 March 2011, Chris Hutcheson and his sons were accused of accessing company systems almost 2,000 times.

2010: Unapologetic Reflection on Controversy

Reflecting on the pre-prepared food controversy in 2010, Ramsay was unapologetic and said it was standard practice.

March 2011: Father-in-Law Hacking

Between 23 October 2010 and 31 March 2011, Chris Hutcheson and his sons were accused of accessing company systems almost 2,000 times.

March 2012: $2.7 million Lawsuit Filed Against Former Partners

April 2013: Closure of Laurier 1936

On 16 April 2013, Laurier 1936 closed.

January 2014: High Court Case Loss in York & Albany Pub Dispute

In January 2014, Ramsay lost a high court case in relation to the York & Albany pub, involving a misused "ghost writing" machine. The judge dismissed the case and ordered Ramsay to pay all legal costs and outstanding monies.

2016: Twitter Vegan Comment

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

June 2017: Father-in-law Jailed

On 7 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 more than 500 staff in the UK after a number of his restaurants had to close temporarily under the coronavirus lockdown.