“Hell’s Kitchen” star Gordon Ramsay broke his silence on a lawsuit accusing the perfectionist chef of faking scenes in a New York eatery for his upcoming Fox reality show.
“I would never-ever-ever dream of setting anything up,” Mr. Ramsay said by phone from London on Friday. “I want to sleep at night. We were issued a writ because, God bless America, if the toilet paper is not thick enough and you come out with a rash on your ass [you’ll get sued].”
In his new show, “Kitchen Nightmares,” Mr. Ramsay visits struggling restaurants and tries to help owners turn around their businesses.
Manhattan restaurant manager Martin Hyde was fired during the filming of a “Nightmares” episode, then filed a $1 million lawsuit in U.S. District Court against Mr. Ramsay and the show’s producers in June. Mr. Hyde accused “Nightmares” of planting spoiled meat, fixing a chair to fall apart and hiring actors to pose as guests lending the appearance of a successful makeover. Earlier this month, a judge tossed the suit into arbitration.
“The idea of bringing moldy food in and planting actors is a f**king joke,” Mr. Ramsay said. “There’s a man who got very scared and very embarrassed about his lack of professionalism. For a man to waste lawyers’ time and taxpayers’ money to get upset about something you’re the cause of...”
The lawsuit said Mr. Hyde urged his boss to invite Mr. Ramsay’s “Nightmares” production to the restaurant, only to be singled out as a scapegoat by producers who needed a camera-ready villain for the show.
“[Mr. Hyde] wasn’t the one in charge of the kitchen,” said Mr. Hyde’s attorney, Carl Person. “The person responsible left the restaurant a week earlier. They’re going to make him appear he was the one in charge and he wasn’t. They’re setting him up.”
The New York lawsuit is similar to an allegation against the popular UK version of "Nightmares," where a restaurant went out of business after the show revealed rotting food in its kitchen. Mr. Ramsay won a lawsuit against a newspaper that claimed the show was staged.
“I don’t want to start that kind of bullshit over here,” he said. “You know it just scares me that litigation can just happen overnight, and then you’re on the defense.”
A crew member on the U.S. version of “Nightmares” previously told TelevisionWeek that restaurants aided on the show were “so disgusting, we didn’t need to do anything" for them to look bad. The source also said the production does help stock the restaurant with local patrons for some scenes, but “they weren’t told to lie about their experience, only to be entertaining for the camera: ‘If you like the food, then really like it. If you don’t, then really don’t.’”
Both Mr. Ramsay and Mr. Person said the “Nightmares” raw camera footage will vindicate their respective sides of the story.
“We found extraordinary droppings from rats and the most unhygienic kitchen I’ve ever seen in my career,” Mr. Ramsay said. “There should be a government health warning before the program saying ‘all dinner should be consumed before watching this program.’”
Mr. Person acknowledged there may have been sanitation issues at the restaurant, which the lawsuit notes was closed by the New York Board of Health about a week after the episode was shot. “Every restaurant has mouse droppings,” he said. Mr. Person also said Mr. Ramsay “to some extent, may not know what’s going on” behind the scenes of his own show. But Mr. Person maintained much of the production is “showmanship” and that his client was unfairly targeted for humiliation.
Fox premieres “Nightmares” on Sept. 19, the same night as another fall reality series attracting production controversy, CBS’s “Kid Nation.” Though Fox has been silent about the “Nightmares” lawsuit and declined to comment, Mr. Ramsay has never been shy about speaking his mind.
“Trying to say I set up a wobbly chair,” Mr. Ramsay said, his voice full of disgust at the lawsuit. “This is supposed to be the most powerful nation in the world, not the most pathetic.”
UPDATE: 'Kitchen Nightmares' Lawsuit Episode Airs
A full interview with Gordon Ramsay about his career in reality television will appear in the Sept. 3 issue of TelevisionWeek and online on Monday.
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Comments (404)
Hey...if you think this is the most pathetic nation,go elsewhere.
I think we will not miss your sorry ass!
Posted by chuckster | August 28, 2007 5:49 AM
I don't trust that Mr. Hyde. His friend Jekyll seems nice, but...
Posted by JP | August 28, 2007 5:51 AM
Maybe, if enough of these lawsuits get filed, and people realize how fake they are, they will stop pumping them out.
Posted by Joe | August 28, 2007 5:56 AM
Gordon Ramsey found the perfect descriptive word--unprofessional. That's exactly what I saw in his behavior everytime I watched part of his show last season. There's a guy who desparately needs some anger management guidances. I can't imagine anyone more rude than he.
Posted by Ronald Corbett | August 28, 2007 5:56 AM
“Every restaurant has mouse droppings,” he said.
That's what freaks me out. I may actually start cooking again.
Posted by kayday | August 28, 2007 5:58 AM
This guy should be president of the USA. We need a no-bullshit, politically incorrect guy like him to kick us back to shape. You can bet your ass the John Edwards' of the country would get their long-overdue bitch-slaps!
Posted by Tom G | August 28, 2007 6:02 AM
Pathetic is thinking a Monarchy is still needed. I feel the best response to this idiot is to not watch his looser reality show. Thank you FOX for the quality programming and for giving this cheeky wanker a job.
Posted by Shaun | August 28, 2007 6:03 AM
Ronald: I you have ever seen Mr. Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares on the BBC, you would know just how professional he really is. Rudeness is just another tool used to get through to people who have impenetrable egos. If he is the most over the top boss you have ever seen, you have lead a really sheltered and coddled life in terms of work experience.
In terms of the US, we really are the most litigious society in terms of lawsuits being files for every and any inconvenience and perceived slight.
Posted by Santa | August 28, 2007 6:05 AM
Gordon Ramsey must have forgotten that America is the most giving country in the World. No other country can out give what Americans have given in the past. None. However, maybe Gordon should think about moving to another country if he doesn't like it in America. Just a hint. Darrell :)
Posted by Darrell Mc Neill | August 28, 2007 6:06 AM
America IS a nation of 'I am entitled'. Look at Katrina. The government was EXPECTED to take care of EVERYTHING Katrina related. They were NEVER praised for the help they did provide but rideculed for not protecting the stupid from their own ignorance.
So, although the manager might be right and just in his lawsuit, we Americans have cried wolf too many times for me not to be cynical.
Posted by Jon | August 28, 2007 6:06 AM
Somebody cares what this guy thinks? Why?
Posted by Lee | August 28, 2007 6:06 AM
Gordon Ramsay is the best chef on the planet.
His comments calling the US 'pathetic' is taken way, way out of context. He said no such thing.
Gordon's record speaks for itself. He knows how to run a restaurant and has a long record of showing up at failing establishments and turning them around in a week or less. This is demonstrable on his similar show in the UK.
Posted by Matt Braynard | August 28, 2007 6:07 AM
Ohhhhhhh. Braynard, I though Col. Sanders was the "best chef on the planet."
Posted by Lee | August 28, 2007 6:10 AM
I think that the problem with this country is that everyone gets "offended" about anything they don't like. If you don't like Gordon don't watch, but you can't demonize anyone for telling it like it is! The health dept. closed the resturant for Christ sake, what more proof do you need than that. Let me tell you, it has to be EXTREMLY filthy for the health dept. to get involved. Gordon's behavior is very professional when you are trying to bring the best out of other people. He reminds me of a drill sergent, oh, but I guess they are not very professioal either.
Posted by Rusty | August 28, 2007 6:10 AM
I've seen this arrogant blowhard before. What this country doesn't need, is another Englishman with big ears and bad teeth. If he worked in MY kitchen.....I'd fire his sorry ass......just for being a dick!
Posted by john prete | August 28, 2007 6:11 AM
I'm sick of being surrounded by stupid, violent, knee-jerk reactionary Americans who are pro-war and have no clue what's happening in the world. The cause seems to be the heavily politically-manipulated "pseudo-Christianity" that most Americans are taught to follow. We have big expensive churches on every street corner, but no capacity for forgiveness and healing. Jesus taught peace, love and understanding. If you don't actively try to practice that 24/7, you're not a real Christian. Killing or judging in the name of Jesus is one strong identifier of a "pseudo-Christian." An obliviousness to environmental destruction and mindless consumerism is another feature of this wonderful pseudo religion.
Posted by David | August 28, 2007 6:11 AM
+
DO NOT eat out, folks, unless you have to...these "joints" are all the same; priests, nuns, etc., choose to work elsewhere, and anyone with good hygeine tends to seek jobs/careers that pay better; if the public really knew. Ramsey must be a democrat---they always blame America first...did anybody else notice? Really, now, would anybody with any other talent or money open an eatery? It is tough, dirty work, and requires constant maintainance of all including staffing. The best thing to do with your mom's chili recipe is burn it rather than try to feed it to another person for profit; been there, done that, and I eat at home, now and forever.
Posted by charles t. sherwin | August 28, 2007 6:13 AM
Nightmares is a great show! Several restaurants have become very successful after being on the show. No doubt there are owners that are unhappy with the show because it makes customers better customers.
Posted by sandy | August 28, 2007 6:14 AM
Oh no, a Euro made a bad comment about the U.S. How will I go on? Oh I know, I'll watch football and drive my SUV around with a smile!
Posted by Patrick | August 28, 2007 6:15 AM
Nightmares is a great show! Several restaurants have become very successful after being on the show. No doubt there are owners that are unhappy with the show because it makes customers better customers.
Posted by sandy | August 28, 2007 6:15 AM
I was sympathetic to Chef Ramsey until that last snarky comment about the US. I guess I'll take my pathetic American remote and watch something else.
Posted by Littlegus | August 28, 2007 6:15 AM
Chef...Who? Isn't it interesting how small people...people who basically are rude and/or talentless can get on TV these days. This Chef guy is a loser, a classless jerk, someone most nice people...intelligent people would avoid. But, put his sorry ass on TV and he's suddenly someone worth writing about? So, the loser doesn't like America...then leave. Wasn't that easy? And don't let the kitchen door hit you on the way out.
Where has all the talent gone?
Posted by Phocus | August 28, 2007 6:16 AM
Anyone consider how much publicity this faux lawsuit is generating for the show? And Ramsey's comments about how nasty the restaurant was? Our desire to rubbernect disaster is now piqued and many of us will have to watch the show to find out how bad it was.
The lawsuit will be dropped after the series opens in Sept. It's all just a big stunt to improve ratings.
Posted by Philip Redman | August 28, 2007 6:18 AM
Ramsay is tight....America is PATHETIC indeed.
Posted by JohnnyM | August 28, 2007 6:18 AM
Ramsay is tight....America is PATHETIC indeed.
Posted by JohnnyM | August 28, 2007 6:18 AM
Ramsay is tight....America is PATHETIC indeed.
"If you don't like it, then get out" - haha no one would live here then
Posted by JohnnyM | August 28, 2007 6:19 AM
Anyone consider how much publicity this faux lawsuit is generating for the show? And Ramsey's comments about how nasty the restaurant was? Our desire to rubbernect disaster is now piqued and many of us will have to watch the show to find out how bad it was.
The lawsuit will be dropped after the series opens in Sept. It's all just a big stunt to improve ratings.
Posted by Philip Redman | August 28, 2007 6:19 AM
Anyone consider how much publicity this faux lawsuit is generating for the show? And Ramsey's comments about how nasty the restaurant was? Our desire to rubbernect disaster is now piqued and many of us will have to watch the show to find out how bad it was.
The lawsuit will be dropped after the series opens in Sept. It's all just a big stunt to improve ratings.
Posted by Philip Redman | August 28, 2007 6:19 AM
First, I have never seen Mr. Ramsay’s show. I don’t care about cooking shows. Second, he is right in saying we have to many lawsuits. Maybe if we started to put a limit on the percentage a lawyer could rake off from a lawsuit they might start looking at the suit before filing
As for his (Mr. Ramsay) statement “This is supposed to be the most powerful nation in the world, not the most pathetic.” I think he is referring to the individual’s lack of personal responsibility and their unwillingness to acceptance that not everything is going to go the way you want it to.
As for Martin Hyde, he was the restaurant manager. That means he was in charge. He can not be the restaurant manager and say he was not responsible for the place. Just another example of refusing to accept responsibility. It should have taken him 30 minutes a night to inspect the place and check the food.
Posted by Thomas Austin | August 28, 2007 6:26 AM
Like I care what some foulmouthed cook from the UK thinks about my country.
Posted by MM | August 28, 2007 6:27 AM
First, I have never seen Mr. Ramsay’s show. I don’t care about cooking shows. Second, he is right in saying we have to many lawsuits. Maybe if we started to put a limit on the percentage a lawyer could rake off from a lawsuit they might start looking at the suit before filing
As for his (Mr. Ramsay) statement “This is supposed to be the most powerful nation in the world, not the most pathetic.” I think he is referring to the individual’s lack of personal responsibility and their unwillingness to acceptance that not everything is going to go the way you want it to.
As for Martin Hyde, he was the restaurant manager. That means he was in charge. He can not be the restaurant manager and say he was not responsible for the place. Just another example of refusing to accept responsibility. It should have taken him 30 minutes a night to inspect the place and check the food.
Posted by Thomas Austin | August 28, 2007 6:28 AM
This guy Ramsey, is a fake. His show last season proved it to me. Will no longer have to watch that bunch of fake bull another season
Posted by Bill | August 28, 2007 6:29 AM
Jon: Re Katrina. I have heard a lot of ignorant comments about what happened in New Orleans but yours cuts it. I am truly surprised that you can read and write, or did someone write that comment for you? And your "love it or leave it" approach is old, tired and as stupid as it was the first time around. How about a third alternative: change it.
Gene
Posted by Gene | August 28, 2007 6:29 AM
First, I have never seen Mr. Ramsay’s show. I don’t care about cooking shows. Second, he is right in saying we have to many lawsuits. Maybe if we started to put a limit on the percentage a lawyer could rake off from a lawsuit they might start looking at the suit before filing
As for his (Mr. Ramsay) statement “This is supposed to be the most powerful nation in the world, not the most pathetic.” I think he is referring to the individual’s lack of personal responsibility and their unwillingness to acceptance that not everything is going to go the way you want it to.
As for Martin Hyde, he was the restaurant manager. That means he was in charge. He can not be the restaurant manager and say he was not responsible for the place. Just another example of refusing to accept responsibility. It should have taken him 30 minutes a night to inspect the place and check the food.
Posted by Thomas Austin | August 28, 2007 6:30 AM
First, I have never seen Mr. Ramsay’s show. I don’t care about cooking shows. Second, he is right in saying we have to many lawsuits. Maybe if we started to put a limit on the percentage a lawyer could rake off from a lawsuit they might start looking at the suit before filing
As for his (Mr. Ramsay) statement “This is supposed to be the most powerful nation in the world, not the most pathetic.” I think he is referring to the individual’s lack of personal responsibility and their unwillingness to acceptance that not everything is going to go the way you want it to.
As for Martin Hyde, he was the restaurant manager. That means he was in charge. He can not be the restaurant manager and say he was not responsible for the place. Just another example of refusing to accept responsibility. It should have taken him 30 minutes a night to inspect the place and check the food.
Posted by Thomas Austin | August 28, 2007 6:30 AM
Like I care what some foulmouthed cook from the UK thinks about my country.
Posted by MM | August 28, 2007 6:30 AM
This guy Ramsey, is a fake. His show last season proved it to me. Will no longer have to watch that bunch of fake bull another season
Posted by Bill | August 28, 2007 6:30 AM
This country IS pathetic when it comes to all the crapola lawsuits that get filed all of the time. How about that bozo in DC suing for 50 million over a lost pair of pants?
And before you ask, YES, I LOVE Gordon Ramsey. He ROCKS!!!!
Posted by Steve | August 28, 2007 6:30 AM
OK, I think we're all mis-reading what Mr. Ramsay said due to the wording of the Drudge headline. I don't find his comments condescending in the least. I love the USA and think Mr. Ramsay is dead-on correct about out-of-control lawsuits.
Posted by Doug | August 28, 2007 6:30 AM
Calm down...Ramsey is not degrading the country. If you read the entire story you would realize, he is only upset that he is being named in a lawsuit. Lawyers have too much power for the small amount of education (a mere 3 years after college)they have aquired. Most of these comments are naive and narrow-minded based on one statement out of anger. Im not a Ramsey fan either...but to make his words into something unpatriotic is ridiculous.
Posted by brian | August 28, 2007 6:31 AM
David at 6:11...
Wow David, you have a lot of anger there pal. You have bought into the left's line that America and Americans are bad. Everything about us is bad. Bad bad bad. You don't sound that old (your post, and your beliefs are rather childish) so there is still time to learn something about this country and the people that make up the most loving and giving nation on the face of this planet. Please, learn to read and then do it. Read about the millions that would die to get here. Read about the hope of freedom we project to the world. Read a little about Christianity and what 'the message' is really about. Read about the American men and women who gave their lives to keep YOU free.
Until you have worked at learning about love, stop posting all your hate. Or...you can continue down the path you are on and remain a glittering jewel of colossal ignorance.
Posted by Phocus | August 28, 2007 6:32 AM
Calm down...Ramsey is not degrading the country. If you read the entire story you would realize, he is only upset that he is being named in a lawsuit. Lawyers have too much power for the small amount of education (a mere 3 years after college)they have aquired. Most of these comments are naive and narrow-minded based on one statement out of anger. Im not a Ramsey fan either...but to make his words into something unpatriotic is ridiculous.
Posted by brian | August 28, 2007 6:32 AM
Hey Philip, could you post your comments 6 more times? I didn't get what you said the first 3 times.
numbnuts
Posted by Steve | August 28, 2007 6:33 AM
Ramsey wasn't speaking of the nation as a whole about being pathetic. I'm sure Britain has just as many limp-wristed crybabies per capita as we do. The guy is also filming his show in New York, a city full of sissies and pretentious twerps. I like Gordon Ramsey, he doesn't take any crap and tells it like it is. People that bring litigation just because their feeling get hurt, well that really is pathetic. A lot of people out there need to thicken their skin and grow a backbone.
Posted by Almighty Whitey | August 28, 2007 6:34 AM
Those who dine out over the years can expect to eat something between two and three pounds of mouse and rat droppings and a Mason jar of spittle. It's the other stuff I worry about.
Posted by Banjo | August 28, 2007 6:35 AM
Hey Philip, could you post your comments 6 more times? I didn't get what you said the first 3 times.
numbnuts
Posted by Steve | August 28, 2007 6:36 AM
Those who dine out over the years can expect to eat something between two and three pounds of mouse and rat droppings and a Mason jar of spittle. It's the other stuff I worry about.
Posted by Banjo | August 28, 2007 6:36 AM
David at 6:11...
Wow David, you have a lot of anger there pal. You have bought into the left's line that America and Americans are bad. Everything about us is bad. Bad bad bad. You don't sound that old (your post, and your beliefs are rather childish) so there is still time to learn something about this country and the people that make up the most loving and giving nation on the face of this planet. Please, learn to read and then do it. Read about the millions that would die to get here. Read about the hope of freedom we project to the world. Read a little about Christianity and what 'the message' is really about. Read about the American men and women who gave their lives to keep YOU free.
Until you have worked at learning about love, stop posting all your hate. Or...you can continue down the path you are on and remain a glittering jewel of colossal ignorance.
Posted by Phocus | August 28, 2007 6:36 AM
Those who dine out over the years can expect to eat something between two and three pounds of mouse and rat droppings and a Mason jar of spittle. It's the other stuff I worry about.
Posted by Banjo | August 28, 2007 6:36 AM
hey David,
What does your evil rant against Christians have to do with this article? Just had to let the hate out or you were going to have a stroke?
Well Chef Ramsay is right. He is a perfectionist. I admire him.
Posted by Not-Allyson | August 28, 2007 6:36 AM
@ Phocus - You obviously have no idea what your talking about, he isn't just "some chef". He's one of the top chefs in all the world.
For everyone saying if you don't like America then you can get out, stop being such closed minded people! If noone complained then you wouldn't have the US to start with.
As far as Ramsays comment goes about "pathetic America", you don't think it's pathetic that your lawsuits have gotten out of hand, and your justice system is being mocked in alot of other contries because of it???
Posted by Brent | August 28, 2007 6:36 AM
I watched one of his shows and didn't like it. If he was to talk or should I say scream at me he would be picking his ass up off the floor. To me you can't be all that good of a chef if you have to act like he does.
Posted by Donna | August 28, 2007 6:38 AM
hey David,
What does your evil rant against Christians have to do with this article? Just had to let the hate out or you were going to have a stroke?
Well Chef Ramsay is right. He is a perfectionist. I admire him.
Posted by Not-Allyson | August 28, 2007 6:38 AM
All Mr Ramsey was calling "pathetic" is our overlitigious legal system.
I agree 100% with him too, btw. The only ones that need be offended are personal injury lawyers and judges and juries that reward stupid decisions people make. (Like that lady suing McDonalds because of hot coffee)
Posted by Lady Heather | August 28, 2007 6:38 AM
@ Phocus - You obviously have no idea what your talking about, he isn't just "some chef". He's one of the top chefs in all the world.
For everyone saying if you don't like America then you can get out, stop being such closed minded people! If noone complained then you wouldn't have the US to start with.
As far as Ramsays comment goes about "pathetic America", you don't think it's pathetic that your lawsuits have gotten out of hand, and your justice system is being mocked in alot of other contries because of it???
Posted by Brent | August 28, 2007 6:40 AM
Gene: Re Katrina. How about all those schools busses? How about all the days of warning EVERYONE in N.O. had before the storm hit? How about the FACT that according to law the federal government can not send in FEMA until the state governor asks for the help? So why didn’t the mayor do something to get the citizens out? Why didn’t the governor put the call into the President before the storm hit? Did they think it was going to stop and not come ashore? Or is it the idea that Big Government will look after them is so ingrained into the democrats (socialist?) that they can not conceive of taking responsibility and being proactive?
Posted by Thomas Austin | August 28, 2007 6:40 AM
Don't you people see what's happening? One smart guy (Ramsey) made a huge business for himself out of badmouthing restaurants, cooks, whatever. WHO CARES?
Don't like restaurants? Don't go to restaurants. Cook at home, or tell your wife to cook. Are you lazy to do that? Well then, go to restaurants and eat there. Are you rich? Go to very expensive restaurants? Are you poor? Go to MacWhatever.
And don't expect rocket scientists to run the restaurants or do the cooking, because they won't. So, you will have to settle for the food what regular joe cooks for you with high school or similar level education and care. It is all that simple.
Posted by Gabor | August 28, 2007 6:40 AM
T. Austin -
As for his (Mr. Ramsay) statement “This is supposed to be the most powerful nation in the world, not the most pathetic.” I think he is referring to the individual’s lack of personal responsibility and their unwillingness to acceptance that not everything is going to go the way you want it to.
That is spot on. People that are complaining are just reading the headline and not the context of what he said.
Ramsey is 100% right on this one.
Posted by PK | August 28, 2007 6:41 AM
San Diego, California
I say... It's tea time for Gordon Ramsay. What the flock does he know about food? The Gordon's Fisherman need's all the help (staging/setup) he can get.
What a maroon...
Posted by Hugh | August 28, 2007 6:41 AM
I think Ramsey just stuck his foot in his mouth. What he SHOULD have said was that the legal system in America is pathetic. The fact that the su(er) is favored over the su(ee), and that litgation can force people to hide in a closet for fear of getting sued.
However, saying that 'America' is a pathetic nation is a generalization that will come to hurt his show in ratings.
I understand his beef, but you need to qualify when you mouth off in public or it can come back and bite you. *.*
Posted by ascotan | August 28, 2007 6:41 AM
Well ... I say old chap ... THIS pathetic American doesn't HAVE to watch your pathetic show.
Posted by Pale Rydr | August 28, 2007 6:41 AM
San Diego, California
I say... It's tea time for Gordon Ramsay. What the flock does he know about food? The Gordon's Fisherman need's all the help (staging/setup) he can get.
What a maroon...
Posted by Hugh | August 28, 2007 6:42 AM
David, THANK YOU for not slamming Islam, THE religion of peace.
Now I don't have to kill you.
Posted by Steve | August 28, 2007 6:42 AM
As an American and a person who loves this country, Ramsey is absolutely right! The litigiousness of this country is pathetic and that is all he meant by using that word. I love the guy, he tells it like it is.
Posted by Sue | August 28, 2007 6:45 AM
Why on Earth would any restaurant manager or owner subject his business to this kind of public scrutiny and ridicule in the first place? It's like Nanny 9/11 and SuperNanny. Why the hell expose your private life on national TV like that? And for what? $20,000?
Americans will do ANYTHING for 15-minutes of fame. Idiotic.
Posted by Gordon's Fisherman | August 28, 2007 6:48 AM
Hugh, are you saying that Ramsey is a cookie?
Posted by Steve | August 28, 2007 6:48 AM
Gordon was calling the people like this owner pathetic, a law suit loving, unprofessional, can't take the truth sort of american. We know that all americans aren't like that.
If you were asked to help someone then they sued you for being honest you would be annoyed.
Also, he doesn'tlive in the states as some hve mentioned, and he isn't a fake, he is real life success, a chef who didn't start on tv, but worked very hard, being trained and treated the same way he treats his chefs. Please not he also says well done when people do well
Posted by steve | August 28, 2007 6:49 AM
Gordon was calling the people like this owner pathetic, a law suit loving, unprofessional, can't take the truth sort of american. We know that all americans aren't like that.
If you were asked to help someone then they sued you for being honest you would be annoyed.
Also, he doesn'tlive in the states as some hve mentioned, and he isn't a fake, he is real life success, a chef who didn't start on tv, but worked very hard, being trained and treated the same way he treats his chefs. Please not he also says well done when people do well
Posted by steve | August 28, 2007 6:49 AM
I'm an American, and I've watched Ramsay's shows for a few years now. Until you watch him, and get to know his mannerisms, it would be the natural thing to do, to misunderstand his comment.
He LOVES this country.
He's featured our troops in an episode of his show "Hell's Kitchen", for two years in a row.
The comment he made was clearly his opinion regarding how litigious American society is, and has become. The truth is, he's correct.
However, some don't care to admit that.
That's their problem.
Posted by Lisa | August 28, 2007 6:49 AM
As an American and a person who loves this country, Ramsey is absolutely right! The litigiousness of this country is pathetic and that is all he meant by using that word. I love the guy, he tells it like it is.
Posted by Sue | August 28, 2007 6:50 AM
Gordon was calling the people like this owner pathetic, a law suit loving, unprofessional, can't take the truth sort of american. We know that all americans aren't like that.
If you were asked to help someone then they sued you for being honest you would be annoyed.
Also, he doesn't live in the states as some hve mentioned, and he isn't a fake, he is real life success, a chef who didn't start on tv, but worked very hard, being trained and treated the same way he treats his chefs. Please note he also says well done when people do well
Posted by steve | August 28, 2007 6:50 AM
As an American and a person who loves this country, Ramsey is absolutely right! The litigiousness of this country is pathetic and that is all he meant by using that word. I love the guy, he tells it like it is.
Posted by Sue | August 28, 2007 6:51 AM
Ramsey has earned Michelan stars by EARNING them. Nine out of ten resturants anywhere are filthy hell holes. If every potential customer got to walk through them before sitting down there would be no customers left.I owned one and staffing them with even remotely competent people who acutally cared about keeping the kitchen sanitary and serving quality food was virtually impossible. I spent every waking hour scrubbing pots and cleaning floors. If you think Ramsey is a 'meany' fu** O**! to quote him. I'd trade one of him for a hundred so-called resturant staff.
Posted by JohnW | August 28, 2007 6:55 AM
Taken in context, Mr. Ramsay was speaking of the US legal system, not the US. Where the legal system is concerned in our country, Mr. Ramsay is correct... pathetic is an excellent description. In our system the courts can be used to threaten, intimidate and bleed money from another person with our without basis. Hopefully we will someday find a way to clean up the mess our lawyer-lawmakers have, so completely, screwed up.
Posted by Bob | August 28, 2007 6:55 AM
David:
You need therapy.
It seems obvious you have no clue why we went to war & those who are anti-war are only being so because they are anti-Bush.
Like him or not, he had to kick ass after 9/11 to save face & our countries integrity.
Whether we've been there too long or not isn't up to Bush. Congress has more say that he does. Remember: War is money & our Government loves cash.
I don't know what country you're from but it seems that you should go back since you hate God & America so much.
"America: Love it or leave it"!
Posted by Ross | August 28, 2007 6:55 AM
Wow. It's amazing to me that many of the posters here didn't actually read the article. Nowhere in the article did Ramsay call the US pathetic. Bad form on the Drudge link on that one.
Gordon correctly addressed one of the biggest problems in the US: over litigation. In the second paragraph of the article he states his beef.
Taken in context, one should read that he was calling the lawsuit "pathetic".
Really, people. Learn to read for yourselves.
Posted by Andrew | August 28, 2007 6:56 AM
David:
You need therapy.
It seems obvious you have no clue why we went to war & those who are anti-war are only being so because they are anti-Bush.
Like him or not, he had to kick ass after 9/11 to save face & our countries integrity.
Whether we've been there too long or not isn't up to Bush. Congress has more say than he does. Remember: War is money & our Government loves cash.
I don't know what country you're from but it seems that you should go back since you hate God & America so much.
"America: Love it or leave it"!
Oh, to get back on topic, this is a thread about Mr. Ramsey...not war, God or religion. Stay on topic or turn off your computer. No hijacking!
Posted by Ross | August 28, 2007 6:56 AM
Oh, come on, Mr. Ramsey, most pathetic, well, at least we have our teeth....
Posted by kevinfromduluth | August 28, 2007 6:57 AM
David:
You need therapy.
It seems obvious you have no clue why we went to war & those who are anti-war are only being so because they are anti-Bush.
Like him or not, he had to kick ass after 9/11 to save face & our countries integrity.
Whether we've been there too long or not isn't up to Bush. Congress has more say than he does. Remember: War is money & our Government loves cash.
I don't know what country you're from but it seems that you should go back since you hate God & America so much.
"America: Love it or leave it"!
Oh, to get back on topic, this is a thread about Mr. Ramsey...not war, God or religion. Stay on topic or turn off your computer. No hijacking!
Posted by Ross