FOOD NEWS
Gordon Ramsay Was Mentored By One Legendary Chef
BY James Andersen
Gordon Ramsay is undoubtedly one of the most well-known celebrity chefs in the world, but he earned his stripes under the tutelage of Marco Pierre White.
Described as a man who "put food on a plate like Picasso" by Ramsay, White is touted as the original celebrity chef who mentored many famous chefs during his over-30-year career.
At 16, White studied French cuisine under chefs at Le Gavroche. He became a part-owner and head chef at Harveys in London and went on to win two Michelin stars at age 24 in 1987.
It was here that he first crossed paths with a young Gordon Ramsay. In his early 20s, Ramsay worked for White at Harveys for nearly three years, enduring grueling 16-hour days.
While the fast-paced atmosphere was relentless, Ramsay said he gained drive, structure, and knowledge. White's level of discipline supposedly even made Ramsay once cry.
However, Ramsay praised White: "He pushed you to the extreme because he drummed it in 'If you're going to do it, do it to your best.'" This mindset is reflected in Ramsey's work.