5 Revelations From Netflix’s Gordon Ramsay Documentary

One of the world’s most famous chefs, Gordon Ramsay is no stranger to the small screen. From his early days on Hell’s Kitchen to judging on MasterChef, he’s renowned for his fiery personality – as well as his prolific restaurant empire. But Netflix’s new six-part documentary shows the superchef from an intimate new angle, offering an inside look at Ramsay’s family life while documenting the lead up to his most ambitious venture to date: five new culinary experiences at 22 Bishopsgate. Below we highlight some of the key topics Ramsay speaks candidly about on the show.

Being Gordon Ramsay: What We Learn About The Chef

His Feelings Towards Food Critics & Influencers

Many chefs have tricky relationships with food critics, but Ramsay reveals a particular disdain for them in episode one of the series. He tells us about the time he kicked a critic out of his restaurant – reportedly AA Gill – who happened to be dining with Joan Collins. ‘One of the most prolific critics had a brutal personal vendetta,’ says Ramsay. ‘When he walked in with Joan Collins, he thought that I wouldn’t have the balls to do anything to him ‘cause he’s sat with the glamorous, amazing Joan Collins.’ He continues, ‘I couldn’t wait for him to sit down, get the menu, time 20 minutes and ask him to get the hell out of that restaurant because whether you’re with Joan Collins or sat with the queen, you’re still going out, mate – you’re not sitting here.’

In Ramsay’s eyes, influencers are the ones chefs should be trying to impress, hence why he hosted a teaser event at 22 Bishopsgate that was solely for social media foodies rather than food critics. He describes influencers as ‘very powerful’, adding, ‘when they post, it goes viral, and it’s gone in seconds to the other end of the world. They are the most powerful critics on the planet today.’

His ‘Torrid’ Relationship With His Father

Ramsay reflects on his relationship with his late father, Gordon James Sr., who was an alcoholic. ‘I had to sit there, you know, at weekends and almost watch him ruin his life through alcohol,’ says the chef. ‘It’s hard, when someone’s an alcoholic, it’s very hard to relate to that, ’cause you’re just… you’re nervous.’ The chef also says his father was never supportive of his culinary pursuits, and died of a heart attack aged 53 – a year before Ramsay opened his first restaurant. ‘I would’ve loved for him to have understood, even if he didn’t back what I was doing or didn’t understand it,’ he reflects. ‘You want validation from your parents, but I’ll come back to the values that I stand for, and the most important family ever is the family that you build.’

His Fitness Regime

Despite being one of the busiest chefs on the planet (a dad of six, with 100 restaurants under his belt), finding time for exercise is a non-negotiable for Ramsay. ‘Exercise, for me, is crucial,’ he says. ‘I don’t have to watch my diet. I don’t have to watch my cholesterol. I’m not overweight. I’m in shape.’ Over the years Ramsay has taken part in numerous tough endurance challenges, from marathons to triathlons, as well as being a regular gym goer.

His Daughter’s Wedding

The wedding between Ramsay’s daughter Holly and Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty has been all over the news lately, with reports of feuding between the two families. But in Being Gordon Ramsay, it’s all positive talk and Ramsay speaks highly of Peaty. ‘The good news for me as a dad is that he is focused and on it. He’s a gent, an absolute thoroughbred, and to see her walk down the aisle is going to be incredible.’

His Upcoming Venture In New York

The series highlights the huge amount of work that went into creating 22 Bishopsgate – but Ramsay isn’t slowing down any time soon. In the final few minutes of the series, he drops a bombshell on his wife Tana: a new project in New York is in the pipeline. ‘There is something in New York that has just come on the radar,’ he teases. ‘You love New York, right? We love New York. It was a special place for us when we went there New Year’s Eve.’ But when Tana tries to get more out of him, Ramsay replies with, ‘TBC’ before the credits roll.

What Is Being Gordon Ramsay About?

Filmed across a nine-month period, Being Gordon Ramsay is a six-part series following the lead-up to the opening of Ramsay’s latest London food empire, which cost a whopping £20m (taken from Ramsay’s own personal fortune). Opened in February 2025, it includes a glitzy new branch of Ramsay’s Asian-inspired eatery Lucky Cat (now London’s tallest restaurant), a 14-seat chef’s table experience from Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, a new outpost of Bread Street Bar & Kitchen, and a cookery school. Set 60 floors above ground, the new Lucky Cat has proved particularly popular since opening, offering jaw-dropping views of the city skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows, alongside a menu of Japanese-inspired fare and cocktails.

Described as a ‘heart-warmingly funny journey into Gordon Ramsay’s 100-mile-an-hour life’, Being Gordon Ramsay follows Ramsay as he balances the launch with other work commitments, plus family life with Tana and their six children. In the trailer, we hear from Tana, who tells us: ‘people think that they know Gordon… he’s someone who dreams big, but you know what, he’s just Gordon to me’, adding ‘he drives me mental’. His daughter Tilly (a rising chef herself) tells the camera: ‘The way dad is in the kitchen, in a stressful environment, he reacts the way he does for perfection.’

The series is being directed by Dionne Bromfeld, and executive produced by Amanda Westwood, Deborah Sargeant, and Lisa Edwards.

Born in Johnstone, Scotland, Ramsay began his cooking career after moving to London and got a job working under Marco Pierre White at the restaurant Harvey’s. He spent time honing his craft in France, working with the likes of Joël Robuchon and Guy Savoy, before returning to London to head up Aubergine – which went on to secure two Michelin stars. He opened his first restaurant in 1998 – the beginning of many. Today he runs 58 restaurants around the world, including 24 in the UK alone. He has also starred in an endless string of TV shows over the years, from oldies like Kitchen Nightmares and The F-Word to newer releases like Next Level Baker (you can find his full catalogue available to stream in the UK here).

It’s looking like another busy year for Ramsay: the chef has announced he will soon be bringing his Hell’s Kitchen restaurant concept to the UK. Inspired by his hit TV series (rumoured to be returning for British reboot), the immersive eatery is set to open this year within The Cumberland Hotel near Marble Arch. Like the US branches, the menu will dishes similar to those seen on screen, such as lobster risotto, beef wellington and sticky toffee pudding.