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Chef Gordon Ramsay Gordon Ramsay appears on CTV's Canada AM with co-host Beverly Thomson from studios in Toronto on Monday, April 28, 2008. People line up to meet Chef Gordon Ramsay during a book signing in Burlington, a bedroom community west of Toronto, on Sunday April 27, 2008. (Sheryl Nadler / THE CANADIAN PRESS)  'Fast Food' by chef and author Gordon Ramsay

Sizzling-hot chef Ramsay may open Canadian eatery

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Canada AM: Gordon Ramsay, author, 'Fast Food'
Famously hot-tempered chef Gordon Ramsay demostrates a recipe from his new book.

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Date: Mon. Apr. 28 2008 10:46 PM ET

TORONTO — Celebrated British chef Gordon Ramsay, who is as famed for his expletive-laced vocabulary as for his lineup of Michelin stars, may soon be opening a restaurant in Toronto.

The bad boy chef, known never to mince words, is in Canada on a whirlwind tour to promote his cookbook "Gordon Ramsay's Fast Food."

While renowned in culinary circles, Ramsay makes it perfectly clear: Don't call him a celebrity chef.

"I hate that word," he pauses, before spitting it out, "Celebrity."

Instead, "I'm a real chef," he says with emphasis during an interview with CTV.ca in Toronto on Monday.

The 41-year-old chef has already opened several restaurants around the world, including Tokyo, New York, Ireland, Dubai and Paris.

And now, he is "heavily considering" marking his culinary stamp on Canada's largest city, he said, "especially if it's the right place."

Asked by CTV.ca if he was considering any properties in Toronto, he revealed there were two.

When pressed further about details, he said "I cannot say," but followed, "Trust me by September I will keep you posted, yes?"

Recruiting talent will be no problem, he assured.

"I have about two dozen Canadians working for me in London, so I am drawing on a pool of talent," he said.

Indeed, Ramsay spent seven-and-a-half months last year in the United States, he said.

"It's opened up a completely new market, which is exciting."

While Ramsay has said the property is unlikely to be a hotel, he raved about a certain view in Toronto.

"Toronto is going through that transition that England went through 10 years ago in terms of trying to rejuvenate and position itself," he said.

"It's a vibrant city, and architecture-wise it's amazing -- the condos and the buildings and what is happening lakeside as well -- I don't know where you can get that view," he said.

Ramsay is as well known for his nine prestigious Michelin stars, the highest accolades of the restaurant world, as his foul language on his shows "Hell's Kitchen" and "Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares."

And a new show, aptly named "The F Word," will premiere in Canada this fall.

As a famed chef, best-selling author, TV personality and father of four, his life is "excitingly busy," he conceded.

"I suppose when you are striving for perfection and you look to be busy and you get busy, you stay busy."

Ramsay admitted he thrives on jeopardy and vulnerability.

"I don't like it when things get slow," he said. It's no coincidence his latest book teaches how to maximize taste on minimal time.

"I live a bit of a manic, hectic lifestyle and I've got four children so it's important to have fun, remove intimidation and cook stuff that is zappy, quick and something that is not long-winded," he said.

Comments are now closed for this story

michael
said
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Gordon Ramsay is a real chef. A great chef. He would not been allowed to apprentice in Marco Pierre White's kitchen, if he was not great. Even Thomas Keller, thinks he is great. If his cooking is good enough for the aforementioned culinary living legends, we should be very greatful and humbled that such a creative, charasmatic, and great chef would want to establish a gastronomic gathering place in Toronto; where food would be elevated to something sublime, and linger deliciously with appreciative diners long after the bill has been settled.


Tony
said
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His stupid reality show is just one of the many in the cesspool of reality shows. Ho hum.


michael
said
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Dean obvisously you have never worked in a kitchen..(30 years here)His language is so tame too what actually goes on behind the scenes..I suggest you read Anthony Bourdain's "Kitchen Confidential" to get a better idea.


Rose Rooyakkers
said
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Chef Ramsay was accommodating in Burlington when I asked for a kiss he came down to me and gave me a big one and in Toronto Sunday night I met him going into a club for dinner and he still gave me an autograph and a few words of encouragement on my new job as a corporate chef I started today. Too much swearing on Tv but very nice in real life.


Karl
said
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That's great as I think he has great ideas and does not mince his words. but I'd like to know why he didn't consider Montreal.


JLK
said
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Anyone who has achieved NINE, count them . . .NINE michelin stars deserves respect in the culinary world, regardless of how one feels personally about their choice in words. He is not the first, nor is tha last "enfant terrible". He just happens to be the most high profile, mainly BECAUSE of those NINE (again, that's NINE) stars.

But please, oh please come to Vancouver. He can take over for the whiney Rob Feenie


Gregg
said
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Awesome chef! It's about #$%% time, ha, ha! ;-)

Cheers!


Liza
said
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Peter...I've driven to T.O. countless times and I know what you mean about all the condos and high-rises. Question...where else are people supposed to live? It's a booming city and we need these high-rises to accomodate people. And Ramsay hit the nail on the head, what a view. Those who are lucky (and rich) enough to live with that view are blessed. He's a smart man who is tapping into the growth. Can't wait to try his food!!!


Shawn-o
said
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"I'll have an appetizer of steaming baby vomit, yes?" That's great news that he's coming to Toronto.


Nadine
said
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I'm not crazy about Ramsay's show but since he is a perfectionist the restaurant will probably be 5 star and there won't be any failed health inspections in the restaurant's window.


A
said
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If Ramsey wants a gorgeous modern view of condos and water he should come to Vancouver/False Creek...the view there would blow his mind compared to TO, and we have extremely diverse/international culinary choice and quality, to boot.


Hunter Mars
said
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Welcome chef.


DH
said
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OH MY, this is exciting! He needs to open one in Vancouver, B.C.! It would do so well over here!!


North Bay
said
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Awesome Idea....I'd head to Toronto for sure to visit his restaurant


Roger T
said
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Another stupid idea, there's already too many resturants in TO and now Ramsay. The sizzle will only be a temporary fad before it fades into thin air.


RRor
said
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Wow, Gordon Ramsey, you people in T.O. have to be the luckiest people in the world.
What a wonderful story and sooooo newsworthy.



Mark - Fort Erie, ON
said
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That's bleeping awesome. I can't bleeping wait to go to have some of his bleeping good food. His bleeping show is bleeping great too.


Jeff Cosford
said
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Ramsey has an amazing capacity to pinpoint the personality problem of the troubled eateries, then break it down quickly and rebuild them into a viable profitable operation.

Somehow patting them on the head and cooing it's OK and validating their failure just to watch them sink into bankruptcy would be cruel.

A cold realistic appraisal and resurrection into a going concern gets me cheering them on. Lets hear it for success and a good livelyhood.


Mike
said
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He talks like he does publicly and has four kids? Hm... I hope he keeps them well fed with huge bank accounts to make up for the embarrassment. I'll pass Ramsay for a restaurant run by someone with more class.


Notfromontario
said
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Well, if he ends up in T.O. he may be able to improve the offering and learn to love the Leafs as well.



Johnny C.
said
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I ate in Gordon's restaurant in London, one of the best meals I've had. He is a perfectionist. Mark McEwan would be the closest Toronto has to Ramsay.

I will be first in the queue to dine at the new restaurant.


Being foul mouthed is very "un"cool.....
said
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I don't respect anyone who uses disgusting language at any time and certainly not as a means to draw attention to himself in order to make a living.

Canadians should be raising our social standards not lowering them to this gutter level. Definitely NOT cool.


Hazel
said
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I had the fortune to meet Ramsey on a night out in London.He is completely unlike his TV persona,charming,
charismatic and extremely funny.I hope he does open a restaurant here.Keep us posted!


artmen
said
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"The F Word" sounds promising, great article Mary, thanks for bringing awareness to his new show, and that one day we'll spot him downtown.


Chris
said
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That's awesome that he's considering Toronto. All the food he makes on his shows looks great. It's too bad I probably won't be able to afford to eat there if it does open...


Zand
said
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An exciting prospect indeed!

I for one would be thrilled to have a new culinary experience such as can be found in Chef Ramsay's kitchens.

Here's to hoping!


Peter
said
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Ramsay refers to Toronto's condos and lakeside view as a big drawing card for a restaurant. What a joke. The condo boom along the lakeshore is one of the most horrific examples of urban development in Canadian history. Lake view? With 100 story condos lining the shore and the Gardner expressway, there's nothing to see. A visitor to downtown Toronto would be hard-pressed to know that they are actually metres away from one of the world's greatest bodies of water. Every time I drive to Toronto, I am deeply saddened by what I see unfolding along the lakeshore.


Jason.
said
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IF and when this happens I will come from Ottawa just to eat at his restaurant, love the show and would love to meet the person as well.




rock
said
0 0

Gordon Ramsay is god.


Gerald Skowronski
said
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I have enjoyed the TV shows but as yet have not seen Gordon (The Bully) Ramsay cook anything to any degree. With all that he is doing on TV and with books and opening restaurants - much to his dismay - he is a celebrity chef. Lots of flash, but where's the substance? How about a show with him cooking and cursing in front of an audience. It's easy to bully people who are trying to get ahead in the business. However, he is not the only chef with a dirty mouth. It is endemic in the industry.


K. Dunn
said
0 0

It would be fantastic and welcomed if Chef Ramsay would open a new eating experience in Toronto!!

I'd be lining up to get in, I'm sure....

Sincerely,
K. Dunn


Lynn
said
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Too bad he wouldn't do a Canadian Version of Hell's Kitchen.... One of my favorite shows!!!

Open up a restaurant in Toronto and I will be first in line making reservations!!!


Lynda McMullen
said
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Absolutely love this man's food. Glad Gordon wrote a fast food cookbook. I am looking forward to his new show this fall.


Nicholas
said
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Having had the brilliant opportunity to have met Chef Ramsay yesterday in Burlington. I can honestly say that he is full of energy, excitment and above all committed to fans. He truly is one of the most talented chefs who has had the best teachers in culinary history. He is truly an inspiration for those who are willing to work hard and make something of themselves. Very nice to meet and a postivie lasting impression of the man in person.
I hope that he opens a restaurant in Toronto.


MB
said
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We need more stories about people taking charge of their own destinies.


Surf 'n' Turf
said
0 0

Chef Ramsay certainly brings a whole new meaning to cooking with style. I would certainly love to see him open a resteraunt in Toronto. I know that I would be one of the first one's to make a reservation. He is certainly a very down to earth man who definately doesn't mince words and that's why I think he is such an amazing figure to watch on TV.


roch
said
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He will make a good Leaf fan.


Dean
said
0 0

If it comes with the same language he uses on t.v., just think of the "classy" clientele it will attract. He is a good chef, however, his language is too ridiculous and unnecessary for words.


Garry, The Two R'd Wonder
said
0 0

Sweet deal. Ramsay is the man. I'll be dining at his restaurant for sure!


Ali
said
0 0

I think Ramsey's Restaurant will do well in Toronto. Since his restaurants do well around the world, it would succeed here as well since there is people from all around the world in Canada.


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