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 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.

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.

1984: Trial with Rangers

In mid-1984, Ramsay had a trial with Rangers, during which he seriously injured his knee. He claims to have played two first-team games for them.

September 1985: Rangers Testimonial Match

In September 1985, a photograph captured Ramsay playing for Rangers in a testimonial match as a trialist.

1993: Start of Staff Retention Period

A 2005 interview reported Ramsay had retained 85% of his staff since 1993, a testament to his staff retention at the time.

1993: Ramsay becomes head chef of Aubergine

In 1993, Gordon Ramsay became the head chef of Aubergine, owning 25% of the restaurant, where he later earned his first two Michelin stars.

1996: Marriage to Tana Hutcheson

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

1996: Ramsay begins writing books

Since 1996, Ramsay has written 26 books, contributing to his multifaceted career as a chef and media personality.

1997: Ramsay founds Gordon Ramsay Restaurants

In 1997, Gordon Ramsay founded his first restaurant group, Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, marking a significant step in his culinary career.

1997: Appearance on MasterChef-like series

In 1997, Ramsay appeared as a judge on a MasterChef-like series for young catering students, with his then restaurant partner.

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.

1999: Boiling Point documentary

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

2000: Beyond Boiling Point documentary

In 2000, Ramsay appeared in Beyond Boiling Point documentary.

2001: Faking It appearance and BAFTA win

In 2001, Ramsay appeared on series three of Faking It, helping Ed Devlin learn the trade. This episode won the 2001 BAFTA for "Best Factual TV Moment."

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.

2004: Television series appearances

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

2004: Honorary Patron

Since 2004, Ramsay has been the Honorary Patron of the Scottish Spina Bifida Association.

March 2005: Spice Up Your Life Event

In March 2005, Ramsay teamed up with Madhur Jaffrey to help the VSO support its Spice Up Your Life event, aiming to raise £100,000 for HIV and AIDS work in India. In 2005, The Ramsays became ambassadors for Women's Aid and ran the Flora Families marathon to support the organization.

May 2005: American Hell's Kitchen Debut

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

September 2005: Featured in CNN International's Quest

In September 2005, Ramsay, along with Jamie Oliver, Heston Blumenthal, Wolfgang Puck, and Sanjeev Kapoor, were featured in CNN International's Quest.

October 2005: Launch of The F Word on Channel 4

On 27 October 2005, Ramsay launched The F Word, a food-based magazine programme, 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's Kitchen Nightmares Vegetarian Incident

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

2005: Reported Staff Retention

In 2005, an interview reported that Gordon Ramsay had retained 85% of his staff since 1993, attributing his management style to the influence of previous mentors.

May 2006: Appearance on Top Gear

On 14 May 2006, Ramsay appeared on Top Gear in the "Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car" segment and held the top spot on the celebrity leader board with a lap time of 1:46.38.

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.

July 2006: Exclusive Deal with Channel 4

In July 2006, Channel 4 announced that it had re-signed Ramsay to an exclusive four-year deal at the network.

October 2006: Guest host on Have I Got News for You

On 13 October 2006, Ramsay was guest host on the first episode of the BBC's comedy panel show Have I Got News for You's 32nd series.

2006: Fundraising Appeal

In 2006, Ramsay launched a new fundraising appeal to help the Scottish Spina Bifida Association continue to run the support center, titled "What's your favorite 'F' Word? Gordon's is Fundraising."

2006: Participation in Soccer Aid

In 2006, Ramsay took part in a television series for ITV, following the lead-up to Soccer Aid, a celebrity charity football match.

2006: Soccer Aid Participation

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

2006: Softened Stance on Vegetarianism

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

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.

September 2007: American Kitchen Nightmares Premieres

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

November 2007: Clare Smyth Appointed Head Chef

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

December 2007: Appearance in Extras Christmas special

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

2007: Offered a job to a prisoner

In 2007, Ramsay offered Kieron Tarff, a prisoner, a job at his restaurant following his release, after being impressed by his speed chopping vegetables.

2007: Fifth series of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares

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

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.

January 2008: Guest feature on Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack

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

July 2008: Ramsay visits Ibrox on The F Word

In July 2008, during series 4, episode 12 of The F Word, Gordon Ramsay visited Ibrox, the home ground of his childhood team, Rangers. He shared his experience as a youth team player in the mid-1980s and fondly remembered playing alongside Ally McCoist.

2008: Ramsay and Wareing fall out

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

2008: Participation in Soccer Aid

In 2008, Ramsay took part in a television series for ITV, following the lead-up to Soccer Aid, a celebrity charity football match.

2008: Soccer Aid Participation

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

2008: Fall off Cliff

In 2008, while filming a puffin hunting segment in Iceland's Westman Islands, Ramsay fell off an 85-metre (279 ft) cliff into icy water. He was rescued by his film crew.

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.

April 2009: 10th Consecutive London Marathon

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

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'.

June 2010: Soccer Aid Participation

On 6 June 2010, Ramsay played for the Rest of the World team in Soccer Aid to raise money for UNICEF, alongside former professional footballers and Hollywood actors. The Rest of the World team won for the first time.

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: Hartnett purchases Murano; new Pétrus opens

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

2010: Ramsay raises awareness about discarding of sea fish

In 2010, Ramsay joined several other celebrity chefs in the 2010 series, The Big Fish Fight, where he, along with fellow chef Jamie Oliver and a few others, spent time on a trawler boat to raise awareness about the discarding of hundreds of thousands of sea fish.

2010: Ramsay as producer and judge on American MasterChef

In 2010, Ramsay served as a producer and judge on the American version of MasterChef.

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.

June 2011: Second season of American MasterChef

In June 2011, a second season of the American MasterChef began, again starring Ramsay with culinary judges Graham Elliot and Joe Bastianich.

July 2011: Exclusive Deal with Channel 4

In July 2011, Ramsay's exclusive four-year deal at Channel 4 expired.

November 2011: Appearance on The Simpsons

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

2011: Appearance on American Idol

In 2011, during the results show of American Idol, footage of the top 5 contestants taking on a challenge of cooking with Gordon Ramsay was shown. The Top 5 were given 10 minutes to make the best 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: $2.7 million Lawsuit Filed Against Former Partners

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.

April 2012: Fox announces Hotel Hell

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

June 2012: Fox announces Hotel Hell

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

August 2012: Hotel Hell Debuts

Hotel Hell debuted 13 August 2012.

2012: Soccer Aid Participation

In 2012, 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, Laurier 1936 closed.

June 2013: Closure of Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's

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

October 2013: Gordon Ramsay at The London lost Michelin stars

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

2013: Named One of 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. Since 2013, he has also acted as a judge on MasterChef Junior.

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.

June 2014: Ending of Kitchen Nightmares

On 23 June 2014, Ramsay announced he was ending the Kitchen Nightmares series.

2014: Soccer Aid Participation

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

2016: Exercise Habits

In 2016, Gordon Ramsay stated he exercised semi-competitively for his general well-being. Ramsay competes in Ironman events, marathons, and triathlons and has a black belt in karate.

2016: Twitter Vegan Comment

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

February 2017: Guest appearance on New Girl

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

May 2017: American version of The F Word premiered

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

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.

December 2017: Appearance on Please Take Care of My Refrigerator

Ramsay made an appearance on the 11 December 2017 broadcast of Please Take Care of My Refrigerator, a South Korean reality television show on JTBC.

2017: Clare Smyth Starts Her Own Restaurant

In 2017, Clare Smyth, the first three-Michelin-starred woman and head chef at Ramsay's flagship restaurant, moved on to start her own restaurant.

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

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

April 2018: Opening of first Street Pizza

On 17 April 2018, Ramsay's first Street Pizza opened in the downstairs area of his One New Change Bread Street Kitchen, offering "bottomless" pizza.

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

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

June 2019: $100 Million Deal with Lion Capital

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

2019: Vegan Menu Launch

In 2019, Gordon Ramsay launched a vegan menu at his restaurants for Veganuary, adding more vegan items.

2019: Ramsay's net income

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

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.

August 2020: Fowey Property on Sale

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

August 2020: Cornwall Air Ambulance Ambassadors

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

December 2020: Opening of first Street Burger

On 3 December 2020, Ramsay's first Street Burger opened in the St. Paul's area of London.

March 2021: Launch of California wines

In March 2021, 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 signed a deal with Fox

In August 2021, Ramsay signed a deal with Fox.

September 2021: Opening of Gordon Ramsay Academy

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

December 2021: GRNA Strategy Update

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

March 2022: Remarks About Cornwall

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

May 2022: End of Legal Battle at The Fat Cow Gordon Ramsay restaurant

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 (£3.6 million) in damages and court fee coverage.

2022: GRNA Strategy Update

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

2022: Admission of Loving Vegan Food

In 2022, Ramsay admitted on an episode of Master Chef: Back to Win that he actually loves vegan food.

May 2023: Guinness World Record for Largest Beef Wellington

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

October 2023: Opening of Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill in Macao

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

2023: Family Update

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

2023: Goal to Earn 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 June 2024, Ramsay was involved in a bicycle accident in Connecticut, US, resulting in bruising and emphasizing the importance of wearing a helmet.

August 2024: Opening of Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill Philippines

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

2024: Original target to open 100 restaurants

The original plan was to open 100 restaurants by 2024, but this was slowed down by the COVID-19 pandemic.

2026: GRNA Strategy Update

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