Gordon Ramsay is inviting viewers into a more personal side of his life with Netflix’s new six-part docuseries “Being Gordon Ramsay.” Ahead of the show’s February 18 premiere, the celebrity chef shared why he chose to move beyond the polished culinary competition format that made him a household name.
Speaking with People, Ramsay said he wanted the series to present a version of himself that audiences have not seen on programs like “MasterChef” and “Kitchen Nightmares.”
“I wanted to show the other side, the other half of me and I don’t think that’s been done properly,” Ramsay said. “And so it wasn’t sanitized and set up where it looked slightly, ‘oh God, this is boring.’ It was real and not many people have seen me in my pajamas.”
‘Being Gordon Ramsay’ Shows Family Life and Business Pressure
“Being Gordon Ramsay” follows the chef at home with his wife, Tana Ramsay, and their six children: Megan Ramsay, twins Holly Anna Ramsay and Jack Scott Ramsay, Matilda Ramsay, Oscar James Ramsay and Jesse James Ramsay.
Ramsay said the series captures everyday moments alongside high-pressure business decisions.
“I’m getting up to speed with how feisty Tilly is,” he said, referring to 24-year-old Matilda. “And then there’s sort of real-life drama that’s unfolding with the pressure of those two young boys and putting this mammoth business in the sky together.”
The docuseries also documents Ramsay launching five culinary experiences at 22 Bishopsgate, one of London’s tallest buildings. He acknowledged that his wife “wasn’t a big fan” of the ambitious project at first.
“I think you know I love a challenge,” Ramsay said, adding that opportunities at landmark locations “come up once every decade.” He continued, “I thrive on pressure. That’s the excitement with chefs. You have that relentless pursuit of absolute utter perfection with a sort of concoction of challenges, difficult challenges.”
‘Being Gordon Ramsay’ Highlights Tilly Ramsay’s Culinary Journey
The series also focuses on Matilda’s decision to attend culinary school in Ireland. Ramsay explained that he never wanted to pressure his children into following his career path.
“Food, restaurants, this industry, you really need to want it and Tilly was banging the door down,” he said. He added that he did not want employees at his restaurants thinking, “Oh, it’s Ramsay’s kids, we can’t really discipline them.”
Ramsay praised his daughter for forging her own path. “I have to give her credit for that,” he said. “And finally, one out of six wants to be a chef, which has made my entire (expletive) year.”
He also addressed gender inequality in professional kitchens. “First of all, I’m appalled of the lack of females [in chef roles] and it’s so frustrating… It’s absolutely (expletive),” he said.
Outside of his own family, Ramsay recently commented on Brooklyn Peltz Beckham’s reported family rift. In an interview with The Sun, he said, “I want Brooklyn just to take a moment to yourself and just remember you’re half-mum, half-dad. You’re an amazing young man, but boy, they’ve done more for you than anyone will do in your entire life.”
Victoria Beckham appeared at the London launch of “Being Gordon Ramsay” on February 16, showing support for Ramsay ahead of the series premiere.
