It’s no secret that master chefs tend to be divas. They’re the stars of their shows and are under constant pressure to perform. But Gordon Ramsay is the poster child for those mega-chefs, always playing the part of a surly, passionate and foul-mouthed egomaniac who also happens to prepare amazing food and run multiple world class restaurants.
In a new CraveOnline interview, legendary Chef Joël Robuchon — one of Ramsay’s main influences and one of the most-decorated chefs in the world — tells the story of what breaks when the egos of two great chefs collide in a hot kitchen.
As the story goes, chef in training Ramsay presented his teacher Robuchon with one of the master’s signature dishes. It didn’t pass muster, and Robuchon sent Ramsay back to try it again. Since elite kitchens tend to run to the high strung side, that was enough for Ramsay to lay into one of his now signature spicy tirades. This in turn prompted Robuchon to throw a plate at Ramsay, leading to Ramsay taking off his apron and walking off the job.
It appears that Ramsay learned more than how to prepare fine cuisine from Robuchon, who may have attributed to Ramsay’s flaring temper in the kitchen — something that’s become one of Ramsay’s signature dishes on his TV shows such as Hell’s Kitchen.
Though the media enjoys painting a picture of Ramsay vs. Robuchon in an ongoing mega-chef blood feud, the two show no public signs of distemper. Robuchon does hold more Michelin Stars, but Ramsay owns more international restaurants. It’s safe to say these two exceptionally wealthy men don’t go back to plate chucking whenever they’re paths cross.
Read more about Ramsay and Chef Robuchon in the full interview here. A new season of Hell’s Kitchen airs tonight on Fox.
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
