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gordon ramsey genius or tosser

#25 15-03-2008, 00:07
Wookey
Moominslayer for hire Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Manchester
Posts: 19,132

Genius gets you a Unified Theory of Relativity.

Genius gets you a symphony.

Genius gets you a Carravagio, or a Michelangelo.

Genius does not get you a reality TV show on Channel 4, or a braised quail casserole with spring vegetables and a mushroom and barley jus.

tbf

"Oh dearly me Mr Chipmonk that is all very nice but how are we going to turn this restuarant around right now EH?"
 
Tosser probably, but very good at what he does.

I consider myself a good to excellent mid-tier head chef now, but I came to the trade with no experience or qualifcations and (crucially) no-one to act as a mentor. From Boiling Point onwards, through the books and autobiogs right through to Kitchen Nightmares Ramsay's various witterings have been a kind of Open University-style education into what I was and wasn't doing right.

Frankly he's the closest thing I've had to a mentor, weird as that sounds. His recipes work, mostly. His direction and basic culinary instincts are sound. Crucially, he's learnt from the people around him and is willing to share the love, so to speak. He's probably a complete twat in real life, but this is the world of catering - aren't we all? ;)

Kitchen Nightmares is another story altogether. Most of the places he "fixes" fail ultimately (Mama Cheries, The Walnut Tree, Love's fish restaurant - any time now - to name but three), and the shows are formulaic to the extreme, but isn't that the point? Here are the rules, learnt the hard way. Stick to them and you'll do fine, take the piss and you'll go under. They go under because they were weak, indisciplined and crap in the first place, and soon revert to type.

Repeating the US shows here was probably a bad move, they're a heap of Fox dung (although next week's is a classic), but on the whole his output is entertaining, passionate and educational. And not Delia Smith. Or Jamie Oliver. Or Ainsley fucking Hariott. I could go on...
 
he has saved some peoples businesses, rescued their dreams, I am sure they think of him as being a savior...even if he has to swear and berate a few along the way. I would not like working for him though.
 
Met and cooked for him a few times, really nice, genuine and friendly bloke as it turns out.

Quite different from the act you see on TV

Genius is pushing it slightly though
 
I am ambivalent about Gordon.

His missus, on the other hand, I would do at the drop of a spatula.

Tana_682_406944a.jpg
 
zippypinhead said:
I have been watching all Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen nightmares on youtube and I am coming to the conclusion that if he did not use his tough tactics and brilliant analysis of why the specific business failed or were failing these people would never listen or change.

Personally watching him has helped me a great deal and I am in totally different business from catering. He really makes people confront their shortcomings and fears and talks straight.

BTW I hate "Hells Kitchen" for the simple reason I despise all the "professional reality TV celebs they trot out for these programmes.
Click to expand...

I don't think he's a genius or a tosser. I think he's a smart man with a gift for self promotion, and probably a pretty good cook. But who knows: all he ever does is criticize. Has anyone actually seen him cook?
 
Minnie_the_Minx said:
maybe he's not allowed to slap the back of people's heads?
Click to expand...

Prob not far off there. My gf bro (a therapist) was up at christmas and we were watching the amaerican nightmares series. One of the first things he said was 'do you think his dad hit him?' (his dad was a violent drunk).
 
I like him - I think he's opinionated and can be a bit of tossser sometimes....but considering all his staff have worked for him years he can't be that bad. He does seem to be able to empower people which is no bad thing....the show does get a bit formulaic at times -but he's just some guy who happens to be very good at what he does..........but not superhuman...
 
Johnny Canuck2 said:
Has anyone actually seen him cook?
Click to expand...

Yes, someone who has 9 Michellin stars in various restaurants is bound to know how to cook a bit don't you think? I've seen him cook plenty of times, there's a show here called "The F Word" and he cooks some quick and easy meals in between events in the kitchen.
 
Wookey said:
Genius gets you a Unified Theory of Relativity.

Genius gets you a symphony.

Genius gets you a Carravagio, or a Michelangelo.

Genius does not get you a reality TV show on Channel 4, or a braised quail casserole with spring vegetables and a mushroom and barley jus.

tbf
Click to expand...
^^^
This


And his recipes aren't all that either
 
I've got umpteen books by Ramsey and enjoy the challenge and the final dish, but as I've said in an earlier post very Escoffier, not only seeks an attractive looking dish but very tasty.

Angela Hartnett is a very success chef and now executive chef for two new restaurants under the aegis of Ramsy...as someone said the staff loyalty must be a reflection of the guys attitude to his staff.
 
N_igma said:
Yes, someone who has 9 Michellin stars in various restaurants is bound to know how to cook a bit don't you think? I've seen him cook plenty of times, there's a show here called "The F Word" and he cooks some quick and easy meals in between events in the kitchen.
Click to expand...

What actually is a michelin star?
Has it anything to do with the michelin man?
 
Wookey said:
Genius gets you a Unified Theory of Relativity.

Genius gets you a symphony.

Genius gets you a Carravagio, or a Michelangelo.

Genius does not get you a reality TV show on Channel 4, or a braised quail casserole with spring vegetables and a mushroom and barley jus.

tbf
Click to expand...

Why is beautiful music genius, beautiful art genius, but beautiful food not? I've never eaten anything of Ramsey's so I can't comment on his cooking skills but i have definitely eaten meals which I've considered as sublime an experience as listening to Bach or Dvořák.
 
heinous seamus said:
What actually is a michelin star?
Has it anything to do with the michelin man?
Click to expand...

In a word, yes.

Micheling started publishing a road guide aaaages ago (I'm sure someone will be along to say when) with details of garages, road-side cafes and restaurants etc. etc.

They now publish book sovering ( Ithink) about a dozen countries and a few other major cities - I imagine the likes of New York etc
 
The inro from the Michelin site.. http://langenscheidt.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=3407

For over 100 years the obsessively-researched Michelin Guide series has been considered the definitive restaurant and hotel guide for people seeking reliable recommendations on where to eat and stay at all budget levels. Michelin's anonymous, professionally-trained inspectors comb through an area to uncover the best restaurants and accommodations at all price points. Our inspectors recommend every listing in the guide (and award Michelin stars for particular culinary excellence), so you can feel confident in finding the perfect place, no matter what the occasion. The Michelin Guide. How to find perfect.
 
I think he's alright. Once you've seen his show a few times, you know what to expect: you can only hope for someone more clueless than any that have gone before to make it entertaining. Otherwise it's just: keep it simple; pick a theme; offer less choice; redecorate; promote yourself; prepare whatever you can ahead - delete where appropriate.
 
Don't know him personally, but friends who have worked for him speak highly of the bloke. He's genuinely mentored and supported them, which ain't always the norm in the kitchen - for all the gobshitery he's one of the best at encouraging women in the kitchen too.
 
Ive only watched his show a few times but i love it, mainly just to see the loser cafe owner getting a good rollocking for the crazy jock. Surely one day someone is going to smack him? But I think that would be a very bad mood judging by how Gordon looks.
 
I'm sure I read somewhere the other day that that soul food restaurant in Brighton that was on Kitchen Nightmares has just gone into administration with huge amounts of debt.

I do wonder how the restaurants that he "rescues" do in the longer run, once people aren't turning up hoping for a glimpse of a celebrity chef in the kitchen.
 
Well that bloke that had a sea food restaurant in New York son sold his place after Gordon turned it around, maybe he wasnt such a cowardly mug after all!!!!
 
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