Star Chef on Passion, Pressure and Perfection (2024)

Award-winning chef says a culinary career is all about pressure and perfection.

June 19, 2008— -- When Gordon Ramsay was a child, he never dreamed of becoming a star chef with restaurants around the world. "Soccer was my first love," says Ramsay, who hoped to play professionally.

But after he was recruited by the professional club Glasgow Rangers and a stint on the Scottish national team, an injury drove him from the field into the kitchen.

"That's how I got into cooking, through soccer," he said. "At the age of 18, I had a horrendous accident when I smashed my cartilage."

He says after his injury he hit "rock bottom" but "decided to get off my butt and do something about it."

He says he's "somebody on a mission."

"There's no script," he said. "I don't like looking back. I'm always constantly looking forward. I'm not the one to sort of sit and cry over spilt milk. I'm too busy looking for the next cow."

Ramsay spent time in France, where he says he submerged himself in the history of cuisine and "found my feet in terms of odd cuisine, trained my palate to the absolute extreme and got my butt kicked in sort of the best restaurants in Paris."

"[To] become a great chef you got to work with great chefs. It's as simple as that. And there's no recipe that you can read and you will happen to become a talented chef if you read books, nothing of the sort. "

In October 1993, he became the chef at Aubergine, and in 1998 opened his first London restaurant, Gordon Ramsay. He is now the author of countless cookbooks and the owner of 19 restaurants from Paris to Prague that have, as he says, "a collection of stars across the world."

It was the "excitement," "liveliness" and "boisterousness" of restaurant work that attracted Ramsay to his culinary career. He says that food isn't a job, "it's a passion."

"It's an amazing journey," he says. "So at each and every kitchen, I pinch myself. And with 1,500 members of the team now, we are an incredible force."

Ramsay's favorite food? He says he has a weakness for chocolate. "I absolutely adore it. I have a sweet tooth; I love the most amazing fondue chocolate with milk ice cream. And everywhere I go, all I want to eat is chocolate."

Star Chef on Passion, Pressure and Perfection (2024)

FAQs

Is there such a thing as a 5 star chef? ›

While there is no such thing as a “Michelin Star Chef,” chefs who do lead a restaurant to earn this designation can tout it on their resumes forever. While this is a worthwhile goal, it's no small feat; less than 16,000 restaurants worldwide have earned this elusive award, including fewer than 4,000 in the US.

Is Gordon Ramsay passionate about cooking? ›

Gordon Ramsay's journey to becoming a renowned chef and restaurateur is a testament to the power of pursuing one's passion. Despite facing challenges and obstacles along the way, he never lost sight of his love for cooking and the culinary arts.

What is the passion of being a chef? ›

Passion for Food: A chef's heart beats for food. They live and breathe the culinary world, constantly seeking improvement and learning. A deep appreciation for diverse cuisines, cultures, and locally sourced, organic ingredients is essential.

Are there 7 star chefs? ›

Yoshihiro Murata – 7 Michelin stars

Murata is the third-generation owner of his family's century-old three-Michelin-star restaurant, Kikunoi in Kyoto, where he pays tribute to his forefathers' classic kaiseki cuisine through a fresh and modern approach.

Who is the #1 chef in the world? ›

Joël Robuchon: 31 stars

Have you ever wondered which chef has the most Michelin stars worldwide? Well, here he is. Joël Robuchon holds the number one spot amongst the world's top 10 chefs, making him the best chef in the world according to Michelin star ratings.

How do you handle pressure best answers? ›

Sample interview answers for dealing with stress
  1. When dealing with pressure and stress, I take a moment to prioritize what I have going on. ...
  2. I do not respond to stress but to the situation. ...
  3. I work best under pressure, for other things do not distract or lure me from the task at hand.

How do you handle pressure in a difficult situation? ›

Try these tips to keep high-pressure situations from escalating.
  1. Notice stress in its early stages. ...
  2. Think first, act second. ...
  3. Identify what you can (and can't) control. ...
  4. Find a distraction. ...
  5. Breathe! ...
  6. Stay positive. ...
  7. Calm your voice. ...
  8. Understand you have a choice.

How do you describe someone who can handle pressure? ›

Composed: Like "level-headed," "composed" is an effective term if you want to imply that you can control your emotions and appear focused, diligent and professional during stress, which is especially important in public-facing positions or leadership roles.

Is chef Ramsay a billionaire? ›

1. The world's richest celebrity chef is Scotland's Gordon Ramsay. As well owning a string of restaurants, Ramsay is a reality television star known for his fiery temper. His empire is worth around $220 million.

Is chef Ramsey really that good? ›

Personality. Ramsay's reputation is built upon his goal of culinary perfection, which is associated with winning three Michelin stars. His mentor, Marco Pierre White, noted that he is highly competitive.

Did Gordon Ramsay have a wife? ›

Personal life. Ramsay married Gordon Ramsay in London on 21 December 1996. They divide their time between Los Angeles and the Wandsworth Common area of London, They have six children, among them Matilda (Tilly) (b. 2001).

How do you describe a passionate chef? ›

A passionate chef stands out amongst the crowded kitchen for their love for food and attention to detail. They won't settle for second-rate cooking and will continue to push their ideas no matter the circ*mstance. Due to the fast-paced nature of the commercial kitchen, a chef's attentiveness needs to be razor-sharp.

Can you explain your passion of cooking? ›

Culinary arts are deeply sensory, so use language that appeals to the senses when describing your passion. Talk about the sizzle of onions in a pan, the aroma of fresh herbs, or the vibrant colors of a well-plated dish.

What is your motivation as a chef? ›

You Want To Share Your Love of Food

People with giving, passionate personalities tend to thrive as chefs for exactly that reason. As a chef, you can use the power of food to get people to enjoy healthy eating, explore different cultures, or even just smile.

What is the highest star for a chef? ›

Three MICHELIN Stars is our highest award, given for the superlative cooking of chefs at the peak of their profession; their cooking is elevated to an art form and some of their dishes are destined to become classics.

What is a Level 5 chef? ›

Grade 5. chef de partie or equivalent who has completed an apprenticeship or has passed the appropriate trade test or who has the appropriate level of training in cooking, butchering or pastry cooking. performs any of the following: general and specialised duties including supervision or training of other kitchen staff.

Is there such thing as a 5 star Michelin? ›

Michelin only awards a maximum of three stars. Not sure where the concept of a “five-star restaurant” came from (other than Yelp), but Michelin's rating scale maxes out at three stars.

What are the highest level chefs? ›

Executive Chef (Chef de Cuisine)

Also known as a head chef or a master chef, an executive chef is the overall kitchen boss. This position is the pinnacle of any chef career.

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