History of Gordon Ramsay in Timeline

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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 17 Michelin stars, with eight currently held. His flagship restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in London, has maintained three Michelin stars since 2001. Ramsay gained prominence through the British television series Boiling Point in 1999, establishing himself as a globally recognized and influential chef.

1984: Ramsay's trial with Rangers and knee injury

In mid-1984, Gordon Ramsay had a trial with Rangers, the club he supported as a boy, during which he seriously injured his knee, smashing the cartilage during training.

September 1985: Ramsay's photo playing for Rangers

In September 1985, a photographer captured Ramsay playing for Rangers. However, it was clarified that the photo was not of the Rangers first team but a side picked for a testimonial match, where Ramsay participated as a trialist.

1993: Ramsay becomes head chef of Aubergine

In 1993, Gordon Ramsay became the head chef of Aubergine, where he earned his first two Michelin stars.

1993: Staff retention rate origin

In 1993, Gordon Ramsay began assembling a team, 85% of which remained with him as reported in a 2005 interview.

1996: Marriage to Tana Hutcheson

In 1996, Gordon Ramsay married Tana Hutcheson, a Montessori-trained schoolteacher.

1996: Ramsay begins writing books

Since 1996, Ramsay has written 26 books and also contributes a food-and-drink column to The Times' Saturday magazine.

1997: Ramsay judges catering students

In 1997, Gordon Ramsay appeared as a judge on a MasterChef-like series for young catering students, where he was seen bullying a contestant.

1997: Ramsay founds Gordon Ramsay Restaurants

In 1997, Ramsay founded his first restaurant group, Gordon Ramsay Restaurants.

1998: A-Z restaurants sues Ramsay

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

1999: Boiling Point documentary airs

In 1999, Gordon Ramsay's first documented role in television was in the fly-on-the-kitchen-wall documentary, Boiling Point.

2000: Beyond Boiling Point documentary airs

In 2000, Gordon Ramsay appeared in Beyond Boiling Point, a fly-on-the-kitchen-wall documentary.

2001: Ramsay appears on Faking It

In 2001, Ramsay appeared on series three of Faking It, helping a burger flipper learn the trade; this episode won the 2001 BAFTA for "Best Factual TV Moment."

2003: Ramsay lies to vegetarians about soup

In 2003, when asked for his most recent lie, Gordon Ramsay said he lied "To a table of vegetarians who had artichoke soup. I told them it was made with vegetable stock when it was chicken stock."

2004: Ramsay appears in two British TV series

In 2004, Gordon Ramsay appeared in two British television series: Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares on Channel 4 and Hell's Kitchen on ITV1.

2004: Honorary Patron of the Scottish Spina Bifida Association

In 2004, Gordon Ramsay became the Honorary Patron of the Scottish Spina Bifida Association.

March 2005: Team up with Madhur Jaffrey for VSO

In March 2005, Gordon Ramsay teamed up with Indian chef Madhur Jaffrey to help the VSO, an international development charity group, to support its Spice Up Your Life event.

May 2005: American version of Hell's Kitchen premieres

In May 2005, the Fox network introduced Ramsay to American audiences in an American version of Hell's Kitchen.

September 2005: Ramsay featured in CNN International's Quest

In September 2005, Ramsay was featured in CNN International's Quest, alongside other celebrity chefs.

October 2005: The F Word launches on Channel 4

On 27 October 2005, Ramsay's food-based magazine programme, The F Word, launched on Channel 4.

2005: "Buy a Brick" appeal launched

In 2005, Gordon Ramsay launched The Gordon Ramsay "Buy a Brick" appeal to help the Scottish Spina Bifida Association raise funds to build a new Family Support Centre and Head Office in Glasgow.

2005: Ramsay offers ham pizza to vegetarian

In 2005, on the second series of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, Gordon Ramsay offered pizza to a vegetarian and said it was vegetarian. After he took a bite, Ramsay said that it contained ham.

2005: Staff retention rate reported

In a 2005 interview, it was reported that Gordon Ramsay had retained 85% of his staff from 1993.

May 2006: Ramsay appears on Top Gear

On 14 May 2006, Gordon Ramsay appeared on Top Gear in the "Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car" segment, achieving a lap time of 1:46.38.

June 2006: Ramsay wins High Court case

In June 2006, Ramsay won a High Court case against the London Evening Standard newspaper, which had alleged that scenes and the general condition of Bonaparte's had been faked for Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares; he was awarded £75,000 plus costs.

July 2006: Ramsay re-signs with Channel 4

In July 2006, Channel 4 announced that it had re-signed Ramsay to an exclusive four-year deal, running until July 2011.

October 2006: Ramsay promotes blood donation and hosts Have I Got News for You

In October 2006, Ramsay starred in a National Blood Service "Give Blood" television advertisement and guest hosted the first episode of Have I Got News for You's 32nd series.

2006: "What's your favourite 'F' Word?" appeal launched

In 2006, Gordon Ramsay launched a new appeal to help the Scottish Spina Bifida Association raise the funds required to continue to run the support centre, called "What's your favourite 'F' Word? Gordon's is Fundraising."

2006: Participation in Soccer Aid

In 2006, Gordon Ramsay took part in the biennial charity event Soccer Aid to raise money for UNICEF.

2006: Ramsay takes part in Soccer Aid

In 2006, Ramsay participated in a television series for ITV, following the lead-up to Soccer Aid, where he captained the Rest of the World XI.

2006: Softened stance on vegetarianism

In 2006, on the second series of The F Word, Gordon Ramsay showed a softened stance on vegetarianism after learning about intensive pig farming practices.

June 2007: Lawsuit by terminated general manager

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

August 2007: Lawsuit Dismissed

In August 2007, the lawsuit filed against Gordon Ramsay's show regarding the restaurant Purnima was voluntarily dismissed and ordered into arbitration as stipulated in their contract.

September 2007: American version of Kitchen Nightmares premieres

On 19 September 2007, the American version of Kitchen Nightmares premiered on Fox.

November 2007: Clare Smyth appointed head chef

In November 2007, Gordon Ramsay appointed 29-year-old Clare Smyth as head chef at his three-Michelin-starred flagship restaurant on Royal Hospital Road.

November 2007: St Andrew's Day Gala Dinner

In November 2007, Gordon Ramsay hosted a St Andrew's Day Gala Dinner at Stirling Castle in aid of the Scottish Spina Bifida Association, making it an annual fundraising event.

December 2007: Ramsay appears in Extras Christmas special

On 27 December 2007, Gordon Ramsay appeared in the Extras Christmas special.

2007: Ramsay offers job to prisoner

In 2007, following an episode of The F Word where Ramsay cooked in Doncaster Prison, he offered a prisoner a job at his restaurant after being impressed by his vegetable chopping skills.

2007: Fifth series of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares airs

In 2007, the fifth series of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares aired on Channel 4.

2007: Ramsay jokes about electrocuting vegetarian children

In a 2007 interview, Gordon Ramsay joked, "My biggest nightmare would be if the kids ever came up to me and said 'Dad, I'm a vegetarian.' Then I would sit them on the fence and electrocute them."

January 2008: Ramsay features on Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack

In January 2008, Ramsay guest featured on Channel 4's Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack, with housemates participating in his Cookalong Live television show.

July 2008: Ramsay visits Ibrox on The F Word

In July 2008, during an episode of The F Word, Gordon Ramsay visited Ibrox, the home ground of his childhood team, Rangers. He recounted his time with the youth team and reflected on how being released due to injury shaped his career.

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2008: Ramsay and Wareing fall out; Wareing keeps Pétrus

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

2008: Fall off a cliff in Iceland

In 2008, Gordon Ramsay fell off an 85-metre cliff into icy water while filming a puffin hunting segment in Iceland's Westman Islands, narrowly escaping death.

2008: Participation in Soccer Aid

In 2008, Gordon Ramsay took part in the biennial charity event Soccer Aid to raise money for UNICEF.

April 2009: Foxtrot Oscar uses pre-prepared food

On 17 April 2009, it was revealed that one of Ramsay's restaurants, Foxtrot Oscar in London's Chelsea area, used pre-prepared food that was heated up and sold with mark-ups of up to 586%.

April 2009: 10th consecutive London Marathon

On 26 April 2009, Gordon Ramsay ran his 10th consecutive London Marathon, sponsoring the Scottish Spina Bifida Association.

June 2009: Insults exchanged with Tracy Grimshaw

On 5 June 2009, Gordon Ramsay began trading insults with Australian A Current Affair journalist Tracy Grimshaw, which led to an apology from Ramsay.

June 2010: Participation in Soccer Aid

On 6 June 2010, Gordon Ramsay played for the Rest of the World team in the biennial charity event Soccer Aid to raise money for UNICEF.

October 2010: Start of computer system hacking

Between 23 October 2010 and 31 March 2011, Chris Hutcheson and his sons accessed Gordon Ramsay's company systems almost 2,000 times.

2010: Hartnett purchases Murano from Ramsay; new Pétrus opens

In 2010, Angela Hartnett purchased Murano from Ramsay, and the new Pétrus by Gordon Ramsay was opened.

2010: Ramsay joins MasterChef as judge

In 2010, Gordon Ramsay served as a producer and judge on the American version of MasterChef and starred in travelogues about his visits to India and Asia.

2010: Ramsay defends use of pre-prepared food

In 2010, reflecting on the Foxtrot Oscar controversy, Ramsay was unapologetic about using pre-prepared food, citing it as standard practice.

2010: Ramsay participates in The Big Fish Fight

In the 2010 series The Big Fish Fight, Ramsay joined celebrity chefs like Jamie Oliver to raise awareness about discarding sea fish.

March 2011: End of computer system hacking

Between 23 October 2010 and 31 March 2011, Chris Hutcheson and his sons accessed Gordon Ramsay's company systems almost 2,000 times.

June 2011: Second season of American MasterChef begins

In June 2011, the second season of the American version of MasterChef began, again starring Ramsay as a judge.

July 2011: End of Ramsay's Deal with Channel 4

In July 2011, Ramsay's exclusive four-year deal with Channel 4, which was signed in July 2006, came to an end.

November 2011: Ramsay appears on The Simpsons

In November 2011, Gordon Ramsay appeared on The Simpsons episode "The Food Wife".

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2011: Ramsay appears on American Idol

In 2011, during the results show of American Idol, footage was shown of the top 5 contestants taking on a cooking challenge with Gordon Ramsay, making omelettes.

March 2012: Fox announces Hotel Hell

In March 2012, Fox announced the coming of Ramsay's fourth series for the Fox network, Hotel Hell.

March 2012: Ramsay files lawsuit against Laurier Gordon Ramsay

On 21 March 2012, Gordon 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.

April 2012: Originally Slated Debut Date for Hotel Hell

Originally slated for debut 6 April 2012, the series Hotel Hell finally debuted 13 August 2012.

June 2012: Originally Slated Debut Date for Hotel Hell

Originally slated for debut 4 June 2012, the series Hotel Hell finally debuted 13 August 2012.

August 2012: Hotel Hell debuts on Fox

After being originally slated for debut 6 April 2012 and 4 June 2012, Hotel Hell finally debuted 13 August 2012.

2012: Participation in Soccer Aid

In 2012, Gordon Ramsay took part in the biennial charity event Soccer Aid to raise money for UNICEF.

April 2013: Closure of Laurier 1936

On 16 April 2013, just over a year after Gordon Ramsay filed a lawsuit, Laurier 1936 in Montreal closed.

June 2013: Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's closes

In June 2013, Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's, another of Ramsay's restaurants, closed down.

October 2013: Gordon Ramsay at The London loses Michelin stars

In October 2013, Gordon Ramsay at The London restaurant in New York lost its two Michelin stars due to issues encountered by Michelin reviewers, who cited "erratic meals" and "issues with consistency."

2013: Inclusion in "The 60 Nastiest Villains of All Time"

In 2013, TV Guide included Gordon Ramsay in their list of "The 60 Nastiest Villains of All Time."

January 2014: High court case loss

In January 2014, Gordon Ramsay lost a high court case regarding the York & Albany pub, where he claimed his father-in-law misused a "ghost writing" machine to make him a personal guarantor for the £640,000 annual rent. The judge dismissed the case and ordered Ramsay to pay all legal costs and outstanding monies.

June 2014: Ramsay ends Kitchen Nightmares

On 23 June 2014, Ramsay announced he was ending the American version of Kitchen Nightmares.

2014: Participation in Soccer Aid

In 2014, Gordon Ramsay took part in the biennial charity event Soccer Aid to raise money for UNICEF.

2016: Ramsay discusses his fitness regimen

In 2016, Gordon Ramsay discussed his exercise regimen, stating he exercised semi-competitively for his general well-being and had a black belt in karate.

2016: Ramsay jokes about vegans on Twitter

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

February 2017: Ramsay makes guest appearance on New Girl

In February 2017, Gordon Ramsay made a guest appearance on the New Girl episode "Operation: Bobcat".

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May 2017: American version of The F Word premieres

On 31 May 2017, the American version of The F Word premiered on Fox.

June 2017: Chris Hutcheson jailed for hacking

On 7 June 2017, Gordon Ramsay's former father-in-law, Chris Hutcheson, was jailed for six months for conspiring to hack a computer system relating to the Ramsays' business interests.

December 2017: Ramsay appears on South Korean reality show

In December 2017, Gordon Ramsay made an appearance on the South Korean reality television show Please Take Care of My Refrigerator.

2017: Clare Smyth starts her own restaurant

In 2017, Clare Smyth, who was previously appointed as head chef at Gordon Ramsay's flagship restaurant in 2007, moved on to start her own restaurant.

January 2018: Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen opens in Las Vegas

In January 2018, Gordon Ramsay opened his first Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen restaurant in Las Vegas, based on the television show.

April 2018: Ramsay's first Street Pizza opens

On 17 April 2018, Gordon Ramsay's first Street Pizza restaurant opened in London, offering "bottomless" pizza.

June 2018: Gordon Ramsay's 24 Hours to Hell and Back premieres

In June 2018, Gordon Ramsay's 24 Hours to Hell and Back premiered on Fox.

June 2019: Ramsay strikes deal with Lion Capital

On 26 June 2019, it was reported that Ramsay had struck a $100 million deal with Lion Capital, forming Gordon Ramsay North America (GRNA) to open 100 restaurants in the USA by 2024.

2019: Ramsay's net income estimated

In 2019, Forbes estimated Ramsay's personal net income to be US$63 million.

2019: Vegan menu launch

In 2019, Gordon Ramsay launched a vegan menu at his restaurants for Veganuary, and introduced more vegan items to his restaurants, such as a vegan roast.

March 2020: Ramsay lays off staff due to COVID-19

On 24 March 2020, Gordon Ramsay laid off more than 500 staff in the UK after several of his restaurants temporarily closed due to COVID-19 lockdowns, drawing criticism despite his high net income.

August 2020: Sale of Fowey property

In August 2020, Gordon Ramsay's £2 million Grade II listed property in Fowey was put on sale for £2.75 million.

August 2020: Ambassadors for Cornwall Air Ambulance

On 28 August 2020, it was reported that Gordon Ramsay and his wife Tana had become ambassadors for Cornwall Air Ambulance.

December 2020: Ramsay's first Street Burger opens

In December 2020, Ramsay's first Street Burger restaurant opened in the St. Paul's area of London.

March 2021: Ramsay launches California wines

In March 2021, Gordon Ramsay launched his own brand of California wines, produced in collaboration with Master Sommelier Chris Miller and International Wine Expert Nick Dumergue at Seabold Cellars in Monterey, California.

August 2021: Ramsay signs deal with Fox

In August 2021, Gordon Ramsay signed a deal with Fox.

September 2021: The Gordon Ramsay Academy opens

In September 2021, The Gordon Ramsay Academy, a cookery school, opened in Woking, Surrey.

December 2021: GRNA updates expansion strategy

In December 2021, GRNA CEO Norman Abdallah announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the updated strategy was to open 75 new company-owned locations across the United States between 2022 and 2026.

March 2022: Controversial remark about Cornwall

On 23 March 2022, in an interview for BBC Radio 2, Gordon Ramsay made a controversial remark stating, "Trust me I absolutely love Cornwall, it's just the Cornish I can't stand." This was later clarified as a tongue-in-cheek statement by his spokesman.

May 2022: Legal battle with former business partner ends

In May 2022, a New York Superior Court judge ruled that Gordon Ramsay should be paid $4.5 million (£3.6 million) in damages and court fee coverage, ending 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.

2022: GRNA's Revised Restaurant Opening Strategy

Between 2022 and 2026, Gordon Ramsay North America (GRNA) updated its strategy to open 75 new company-owned restaurant locations across the United States.

2022: Ramsay admits to loving vegan food

In 2022, on an episode of Master Chef: Back to Win, Gordon Ramsay said, "After all these years, I can finally admit, that I actually love vegan food."

May 2023: World record for largest beef Wellington

On 11 May 2023, Nick DiGiovanni, alongside Gordon Ramsay, broke the Guinness World Record for the largest beef Wellington, which weighed 25.76 kilograms (56.79 pounds).

October 2023: Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill opens in Macao

On 11 October 2023, Gordon Ramsay opened his first restaurant in Macao, called Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill, at the new The Londoner Macao hotel and casino.

2023: Family update

As of 2023, Tilly Ramsay is a television chef and presenter, Megan works with the Metropolitan Police, Jack is a Royal Marines commando, and Holly is a fashion designer and blogger.

2023: Goal of earning Michelin star for Le Pressoir d'Argent

As of 2023, one of Gordon Ramsay's final goals as a chef and restaurateur is to earn the third Michelin Star for Le Pressoir d'Argent, a French restaurant in France.

June 2024: Bicycle accident in Connecticut

In June 2024, Gordon Ramsay was involved in a bicycle accident in Connecticut, USA, resulting in significant bruising. He emphasized the importance of wearing a helmet.

August 2024: The Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill opens in the Philippines

In August 2024, The Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill Philippines opened in Newport World Resorts.

2024: Original Target Date for 100 Restaurants

By 2024, Gordon Ramsay North America (GRNA) initially aimed to open 100 restaurants in the USA before the COVID-19 pandemic slowed down their plans.

August 2025: Ramsay undergoes treatment for basal-cell carcinoma

In August 2025, Ramsay announced that he had undergone treatment for basal-cell carcinoma, which had developed below his ear.

2026: GRNA's Revised Restaurant Opening Strategy

Between 2022 and 2026, Gordon Ramsay North America (GRNA) updated its strategy to open 75 new company-owned restaurant locations across the United States.