Great post mate. It's laughable that people regard a cook shouting at another cook as entertainment ... ... if it happened at your workplace you'd tell them to put a lid on it. It's absolutely amazing that people watch TV shows about cooking, then don't cook ... sewing, then don't sew ... baking cakes, then don't bake cakes .... dancing, then don't dance. And, instead of tidying up their f**cki*g gardens they sit watching TV programmes about people tidying up their gardens
And all this "Chef Ramsey" they have to call him... what a load of ****e. I'm 56, and been working as a chef since leaving catering college at 18. In my first job, at the Old Ship Hotel in Brighton, we called the Head Chef, "Chef". It was a respect thing, but he earned that respect....not by shouting and swearing at everyone, but by mentoring and also training young-uns like myself. He was a big German bloke, but a real gentleman. We had a team of 15 chefs, and in the time I was there not one had a bad word for him, or a cross word with him. The fact I still hold him in such high regards speaks volumes. "Chef Ramsey" hasn't got a clue tbh.
But I genuinely like watching programmes about murderers and serial killers. Best sharpen my best butchers knife then I suppose.
When I hear grown men arguing about which cake was best, on last night's show, I could murder both of them.
He's a Roy Keane type of character. Shouting at people can produce short term adrenalin fueled results ... ... but, as Bob Paisley showed, speaking quietly and calmly makes people pay more attention and take things in.
I've Always said being a good manager or leader is when the people on your team try their best for you so that you don't shout at them, not that the only produce their best when you do shout at them. If the only way you can get your team to perform is by shouting at them then your the problem
I watched it and could see he was playing up to his image. Calling it a "clusterf@ck" the day before it's opening was probably the most ridiculous bit when you think about it. It's HIS restaurant, so surely he'd have had input into the lay out. And design? That was just him playing up to his image and trying to belittle the others to look good (in his eyes). Personally I think he's a prick, but very good at marketing himself
Like cooking amazing meals and giving people a fantastic night out in their restaurants AND accept there are people doing far more important things etc...
I think he's great. He's one of the best chefs in the country and has earned his respect. I was a chef for 15 years and have worked with people like him several times. I think it's a given in the high end catering industry to rule by fear and respect. I agree that he obviously plays up for the camera but I would have loved to have had the chance to work with him.
I think the biggest problem is he's now 1/2 chef 1/2 actor, he's an extremely good chef but he's not the multi millionaire just from cooking food, he's playing a role and although I can't stand the prick you have to admit he's played the part well and I don't really think he gives a toss what I think
I'm not sure how quote and reply to two separate posts... @Iain & @TopCat_SMB I kind of agree with what you are both saying regarding being an act, and I'm not questioning his ability as a chef. I knew someone (now sadly gone) who worked with Ramsey, and he said he was just like how he is on TV....an absolute twat to work for or with. I'm not sure if he was twat before TV, and that's how he got on TV, or if his TV persona then carried over into his real life management style. Hope that makes sense....bit of a chicken and egg type thing.
Think Ramsey is a bit of a parody of himself now mind. Does he actually do any cooking now? Or is it all running satellite resteraunts and TV shows. The shouting must be theatrical. He is bound to know that it gets you nowhere. I've never ever shouted at anyone I've had work for me. You lose the rest immediately. When there is something big enough to say you do it privately, one to one.
I learnt early that you can shout at somebody or talk quietly, it makes no difference you are the boss, quietly is much less stressful.
