Gordon Ramsay has divided the masses with his so-called ultimate restaurant ‘green flag’, causing some to agree it’s their hospitality ‘pet peeve’, while others have called out the celebrity chef for his hypocrisy.
With over 80 restaurants across the globe, Hell’s Kitchen icon Ramsay, 59, is not only a multi-star Michelin chef, but a lucrative business owner to boot.
Next year, he’s set to add to his portfolio with another eatery inside 22 Bishopsgate, and a 1960s British-themed gastropub in Disneyland Resort called Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby.
As well as serving up grub, the father-of-six likes to eat out at restaurants, previously praising In-N-Out Burger and various other establishments.
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As a gastronomy guru, Ramsay is well-versed in practices he doesn’t like, and complimentary about service styles that appeal to him.
In a new interview with American food magazine, Bon Appétit, the food expert revealed one of his major green flag restaurant rules.
“Not putting a time limit on the table,” he confessed. “I don’t want to know I’ve got 90 minutes to eat.”
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Ramsay reasoned that he never labours over his meals and tends not to ‘overstay’ his welcome at a table, but remarked that he ‘doesn’t like’ being shown the door prematurely.
The statement has caused some controversy on social media, with some fans rushing to agree with the British icon.
“So agree. This is happening all the time,” typed one Instagram user.
Another claimed: “My pet peeve. Funny never been rushed at a Michelin, but at mediocre restaurants oh boy!”
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A third remarked: “You make a reservation for a restaurant and imagine getting there on time but being told ‘Sorry, none of the tables want to leave yet and are all taking their time, sorry’ its out of respect for the other people that want to enjoy a places food.
“They can't do that if their tables are all with people relaxing and not eating.”
Others have remarked on Ramsay’s opinion, claiming that tables at his Hospital Road Michelin restaurant have a 2.5-hour limit on them.
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FOODbible has contacted the Michelin-starred restaurant, nestled in the heart of Chelsea, to confirm whether table restrictions are in place.
“Riiiiight and when you’re a celeb chef getting paid a pretty penny you can afford this approach but most restaurants can,” someone else claimed. “His restaurant in my city is widely regarded as overpriced and underwhelming.
“Chain restaurant junk. Hospitality industry is in a difficult situation, I think it’s a green flag that diners (people in general) are expected to have enough respect for everyone they’re sharing the space with — staff, other diners — to understand that someone else has booked after them and they’re just one of many people looking forward to a pleasant experience at a restaurant.”
A third argued: “Easy to say when your restaurants run on TV budgets.
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“Independent places don’t have Michelin margins or marketing machines. Two services aren’t greed — they’re survival when your rent isn’t paid by a production company Gordon.”
Topics: Celebrity, Restaurants and bars, UK Food
Ella Scott