So Disappointed in Gordon Ramsey

[Nanalisa60]

Just heard the he has laid off all his 500 staff in the uk !! He has paid them until the end of April!! Why could he just not put them In forlough for 80 % of there wages which will be paid by the government. We don’t know how long this will last , people need to have hope that they have a job to go back to when this madness ends.

I really thought the Gordon was better then this !! Just so so disappointed in him!!

Doesnt surprise me at all, the bloke is a knob!, I've had the unfortunate pleasure off having a meal with him and hes honestly the rudest and most arrogant man I've ever met!

I have no doubt he’s a wonderful chef but he amassed his fortune off the hard work of others. When they need him the most he’s let them down.

If they’re good enough to work in his restaurant perhaps some of them will be able to open up their own after this is over .

On that point, we are in complete agreement @purpletigers. Locally grown and reared, carefully harvested, nothing wasted. That is exactly what I pay (a premium) for.

I've never liked the man,I think he's rude and abrasive,so I can't say that I'm too surprised at this news.

He bagged a star or two and then he used his name to open and promote restaurants around the world - choosing excellent chefs to run them - he rarely cooked in them, that's no secret - not many chefs make a lot of money by owning and cooking in one restaurant..books and tv shows are much more profitable - but you need to have credibility and he had that - regardless of what you think of him.

I think only businesses employing under 250 people are eligible. You are wrong!

I was fortunate to eat at Aubergine when it got its first star from Michelin, when GR was on the pass as head chef. It was the best food I have ever eaten.

He can be as bloody awkward as he likes: if you can't stand the heat. get out of the kitchen.......... Still true.

mooboy is right too...but GR knows how to pick the best chefs. And most of them will see it as finishing school before they fly solo.

Early on in this thread, someone suggested it would be taken down quickly. It's still running. Are you watching Gordon?

Just read page one, but his business interests employ too many people to qualify for the small business income replacement at 80% at government/taxpayers expense

This is wrong. There is no limit to the number of employees.
www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme.

The requirements to access the scheme are minimal and GR would have met them.

I ate in Petrus twice both time the staff were outstanding in their care of me as a customer. Dh was late for lunch the first time and that was long before smart phones - they brought me flavoured popcorn, a few magazines and a complimentary drink, really looked after me - it was such a nice touch, I felt pampered and not too bothered (not that dh being late would have annoyed me too much). The food didn't stand out - the staff did!

He may have wanted to close the business anyway and just thought it's the right time what with the corona. His business might have never been able to recover.

I would question my sanity if I didn’t question someone who booked a lunch three months ahead and spent £100 on it

You think that don't you? Then you've never eaten at Hospital Road (or any M * restaurant) because honestly, it is quite extraordinary and worth every penny for the Parmesan toile alone and don't even get me started on the pumpkin soup

I holidayed in my caravan in his second home area - the most expensive place I have ever stayed in the UK, most homes are owned by non residents, it was quite sad to see.

Maybe he laid them off before the gov said they would help.

You want to be outraged, be outraged at Britania hotel chain who sacked all their staff and made them HOMELESS during Corona!

or any M (Star} restaurant) because honestly, it is quite extraordinary and worth every penny I have never eaten at Hospital Road but I have eaten in many starred restaurants - unfortunately the experience has not always been extraordinary and worth every penny! Sometimes a burger joint visited on the same day has out shone it - proving better tasting food, atmosphere and creating an extraordinary experience from pennies in comparison. We became a bit bored with the whole fine dining scene - it can be unbearably formal and up itself...not much fun when it takes itself too seriously.

My dh is in the industry. He has meet Gordon many times , both in business and pleasure. How dull would gr shows be if he was just normal, calm and nicey nicey?!
Tbh his staff are the fortunate ones in the industry to have been given a months pay.
My dh is lovely, funny and very calm, however the first time I worked along side him I was in tears as his kitchen persona is an arrogant, demanding prick!

There is an awful lot of misinformation re furloughing staff on here, not particularly helpful. Any staff on PAYE can be furloughed regardless off contract type, the reimbursement will be calculated on average of last 3 months pay.

I don't really think we can second guess what businesses are doing. On the face of it what hes doing doesnt sound great but we don't actually know the ins and outs.

I think people just like to be outraged at him. I thought he came across well on Saturday Night Takeaway. He was lovely to his assistant the whole time and only mildly pissed off at what was happening. Not sure what some people were watching.

I know 2 people who worked for him. One over here and one in Vegas and they said the staff all love him and all look forward to his visits. They said he visits all the restaurants periodically and chats to them, the diners etc. They speak very highly of him.

He is vile on Hell's Kitchen in some bits but that's in the heat of the kitchen. When he's not in the kitchen I think he comes across really well. I don't really get the hatred.

That said, if he has gone to his holiday home then that is out of order. I guess it all depends when and why he did that. There was a thread on here re another celeb where people were slating her but a poster was saying it turns out she was already at her 2nd home when the government said to not move location. If he has upped and moved specifically for lockdown just as it's a nicer property then that is not on. Until I know the reasons why I'm on the fench with that one.

I think it obvious why he moved away from London to his Cornish retreat? I think many who (usually) work in the city who have Holiday homes in more rural areas have escaped there- no it's not acceptable, GR's not exempt from that one either.

I agree it's not acceptable but if they were on holiday there already from say 12th march should they have travelled home on the 23rd to London. I am not disagreeing, I have said it's not ok but put a disclaimer that I personally don't know why.

Driving in a private car is not the issue - increasing the population in a rural area which will already have a shortage of hospital bed/respirators is the problem with people staying in they second homes.

Yep no one should be putting more pressure on rural hospitals resources currently unless people are advised to do so at some point in the future if London hospitals are under too much pressure.

Surprised? No, not at all.

GR is one of those people like Trump who I find interesting to watch even though I wouldn't want to work for them.
I dunno how much of choice people had but if I had any choice at all I wouldn't want to work for him.
Sorry for all the people losing their work.
Not sorry for GR.