I took this directly from the Gordon Ramsay website, not because I'm lazy, but because I figured, if they didn't have the most accurate biography, who would? Okay, and I'm lazy. (That being said, I did edit it quite a bit, 'cause despite Gordon's reputation of insisting on things that are simple, my goodness, the writer was wordy!)
Nov.8th, 1966
Born in Johnstone, Scotland.
Gordon was brought up in England after his parents moved south to Stratford-upon-Avon. His first career break came whilst 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 the age of 15. Three years later he had given up professional football and gone back to college to complete an HND course in hotel management.
Gordon moved to London where he joined Marco Pierre White in the early days of Harvey's in Wandsworth. After a couple of years Gordon 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, Gordon became chef of the newly opened Aubergine where he won two Michelin stars within three years of opening.
Gordon's first book, Passion for Flavour, published by Conran Octopus, was published in October 1996.
1998
In 1998 at the age of 31, Gordon set up his first wholly owned restaurant, Gordon Ramsay, in Chelsea.
1999
A year later he opened Pétrus with his protégé Marcus Wareing as Chef Patron, in St. James's. Within seven months it had won a Michelin star. His second book, Passion for Seafood, was published in May 1999.
2000
In June 2000 Gordon won The Chef of the Year Award at the Cateys.
A Chef for all Seasons was published by Quadrille in September 2000
2001<
On 19th January 2001 Restaurant Gordon Ramsay gained its third Michelin star.
In October 2001 Gordon opened Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's which gained a Michelin star in 2003.
Just Desserts is published in September 2001
2002
At the beginning of October 2002 Gordon Ramsay Holdings Limited took over the whole of 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.
2003
In 2003 Gordon Ramsay Holdings re-launched The Savoy Grill with Marcus Wareing. The restaurant achieved its first Michelin star in 2004. This was followed with the opening of Boxwood Café at The Berkeley. At the same time the Michelin starred Pétrus came from St. James's to join Boxwood Café at The Berkeley.
Secrets is published this year.
2004
May 2004 saw Gordon Ramsay star in the Channel 4 series Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, a series of four one-hour programmes, later to be awarded a BAFTA. The programme was launched simultaneously with Gordon's recipe book Gordon Ramsay Kitchen Heaven published by the Penguin Group. Shortly after this, Gordon was given two weeks to direct a group of celebrities towards Michelin standard cooking in the ITV series Hell's Kitchen.
2005
2005 brought a second series of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares which was followed by the very successful US version of Hell's Kitchen for Fox TV. November brought the debut of Channel 4's The F-Word.
May 2005 saw Gordon release his sixth book, Gordon Ramsay Makes it Easy published by Quadrille (this includes a DVD with recipe demonstrations). Gordon also launched his eighth restaurant, maze, in London's Grosvenor Square with Jason Atherton.
In July 2005 Gordon opened his first restaurant in Japan at The Conrad Tokyo, the city's newest luxury hotel with Andrew Cook leading the kitchen brigade.
The year was rounded off with Gordon's award of an OBE in the New Year's Honours list.
2006
In 2006, a third series of Kitchen Nightmares appeared on Channel 4. A second series of the US Hell's Kitchen was shown in the USA and ranked number 1 in its period among key demographics. In the UK a second series of Channel 4's The F-Word was screened in June, which was followed by a TV publication by Quadrille: Gordon Ramsay's Sunday Lunch and Other Recipes from the F-Word. In May, a range of Gordon Ramsay tableware became available in partnership with Royal Doulton. The second phase launched in October, focusing on oven to tableware.
In September 2006, Gordon’s eponymous restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay (68 Royal Hospital Road) reopened following a major refurbishment in excess of £1 million.
Gordon Ramsay made his stateside debut this November 16th with the opening of Gordon Ramsay at The London (151 West 54th in The London NYC Hotel- formerly the Rihga Royal). Neil Ferguson, previously Head Chef in Angela Hartnett's kitchen at The Connaught is resident Chef de Cuisine. Gordon Ramsay restaurants are set to open in Florida and Los Angeles in 2007.
Most recently Gordon completed his autobiography, Humble Pie: a detailed and honest account of his life both in and out of the kitchen, which was published by Harper Collins on October 2nd.
