Gordon Ramsey

Scottish by birth, Gordon Ramsay was brought up in England after his parents moved south to Stratford-upon-Avon. His first career break came while 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 a course in hotel management.

Ramsay then moved to London, where he joined Chef Marco Pierre White in the early days of Harvey's in Wandsworth. After a couple of years, he 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 Joel Robuchon. Here he was able to enhance his expertise in classic French cooking.

In October 1993, Ramsay became chef of the newly opened Aubergine where he won many accolades, including two Michelin stars within three years of its debut.

Chef Ramsay published his first cookbook, "Passion for Flavour," in October 1996. His second book, "Passion for Seafood," was published in May 1999. "A Chef for all Seasons" was published in September 2000, followed by "Just Desserts" in September 2001, "Secrets" in 2003, "Gordon Ramsay Makes it Easy" in 2005, "Gordon Ramsay's Sunday Lunch" in 2006 and "Gordon Ramsay's Fast Food." His latest cookbook, "Gordon Ramsay's Healthy Appetite," was published in May 2008 and is the current No. 1 best seller in the U.K. To date, Ramsay has sold over 4 million cookbooks worldwide.

In 1998, at the age of 31, Ramsay set up his first wholly owned restaurant, Gordon Ramsay, on the former site of La Tante Claire in Chelsea. In 1991 the restaurant gained its third Michelin star in the "Michelin Red Guide Great Britain and Ireland." Widely considered to be his flagship restaurant, Gordon Ramsay underwent a major refurbishment in 2006 and remains London's most sought-after dining establishment.

In 1999, Ramsay opened Petrus in St. James's. Within seven months the restaurant had won a Michelin star. After relocating to Knightsbridge in 2003, won its second Michelin star in January 2007. In October 2001, Ramsay opened Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's, which gained a Michelin star in 2003.

At the beginning of October 2002, Gordon Ramsay Holdings Limited took over 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, which it retained until GRH decided not to renew its contract with The Connaught in 2007. In 2003, Gordon Ramsay Holdings re-launched The Savoy Grill. The restaurant achieved its Michelin star in 2004. This was later followed with the opening of Boxwood Cafe at The Berkeley.

May 2004 saw Ramsay star in "Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares," a series of four one-hour programs, later honored with two BAFTA Awards and an International Emmy. The program was launched simultaneously with the recipe book "Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Heaven." Shortly after this, Ramsay was given two weeks to direct a group of celebrities toward Michelin-standard cooking in the hit ITV series HELL'S KITCHEN.

The following year confirmed Ramsay as a major television talent. A second season of "Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares" was followed by the very successful U.S. version of HELL'S KITCHEN for FOX. November saw the debut of "The F-Word," a high-octane food show with cooking, food campaigns and celebrity guests. The action was set against the backdrop of a full, working kitchen, and over the course of the show, Ramsay and his brigade prepared a three-course menu for diners.

In May 2005, Ramsay opened Maze Grill in London's Grosvenor Square with Jason Atherton. Winning instant acclaim and a host of awards, Maze showcases a flexible grazing menu focusing on French Cuisine with Asian influences in an informal and relaxed environment. In July 2005 Ramsay opened his first restaurant in Japan at The Conrad Tokyo. The year was rounded off with Gordon's award of an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in the New Year's Honours list.

In 2006, a third season of KITCHEN NIGHTMARES aired in the U.K. and Season Two of FOX's HELL'S KITCHEN ranked No. 1 in its time period among key demographics. In the U.K., a second season of "The F-Word" was screened in June and garnered strong ratings. In May, a range of Gordon Ramsay tableware became available through a partnership with Royal Doulton.

In October 2006 Ramsay's autobiography, "Humble Pie," was published by Harper Collins. The book, which gives an honest account of his life in and out of the kitchen, topped many of the best-seller charts.

Gordon Ramsay Holdings opened Cielo at the exclusive Boca Raton Resort and Club in Florida in January 2007. In March, Ramsay opened his first pub, The Narrow in London's Limehouse. Located on the banks of the Thames River, The Narrow serves classic British dishes in a relaxed setting.

The fifth international Gordon Ramsay restaurant opened in Ireland toward the end of the year at The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt. Autumn also saw the launch of Ramsay's second pub, The Devonshire, in Chiswick, and in November Gordon opened Maze at the Hilton Prague Old Town.

In October 2007 Quadrille published "Gordon Ramsay, 3 Star Chef"; a beautifully produced coffee table book containing 50 of Gordon's signature dishes from Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. October was also the month that saw the publication of "Playing with Fire," Gordon's follow up to "Humble Pie." Published by HarperCollins, the book gives an insight into the success of the chef and his company Gordon Ramsay Holdings.

2008 is proving to be another busy year for Ramsay. January saw the re-opening of Chelsea's classic neighborhood bistro, Foxtrot Oscar, on Royal Hospital Road, just a few doors away from Ramsay's eponymous restaurant. In early February, Gordon Ramsay Holdings also added the stunning Victorian pub, The Warrington in Maida Vale, to its growing portfolio of pubs.

In March 2008, Ramsay opened his first restaurant in France at the legendary Trianon Palace & Spa, a 199-room hotel located just steps away from the famed Chateau de Versailles. March was also the month that Ramsay opened Plane Food at the newly built Richard Rogers-designed Terminal 5 at London's Heathrow Airport.

In April 2008 Maze Grill opened in London's Grosvenor Square, directly adjacent to Maze. Inspired by the classic New York steak restaurants, Maze Grill serves a wide range of different breeds and cuts of meat and fish cooked over coal. The restaurant features a butcher's block table where guests have the opportunity to watch the chefs at work.

This June saw the opening of Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood in Los Angeles. This September, Ramsay, together with protege Angela Hartnett, will open York and Albany, located in a historic William Nash-designed building on the edge of Regent's Park in London. It will be composed of a restaurant with a bar, a delicatessen and guest accommodations. Also, toward the end of the summer, Hartnett will open Murano, a fine-dining Italian restaurant in the heart of London's Mayfair.