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Sizzling-hot chef Ramsay may open Canadian eatery
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Mary Nersessian, CTV.ca News
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.
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Interesting read. Makes me wonder if the incidence of serious mental health issues was always so prevalent and well hidden, or if it is one of those expanding problems. If expanding, what is the actual cause, and does modern work naturally exacerbate the problems?
Frank Buchan
Mental health at work: Creating safe workplaces
Canada AM is a production of CTV News, and is Canada’s most-watched morning news program.
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michael
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Tony
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michael
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Rose Rooyakkers
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Karl
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JLK
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But please, oh please come to Vancouver. He can take over for the whiney Rob Feenie
Gregg
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Cheers!
Liza
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Shawn-o
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Nadine
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A
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Hunter Mars
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DH
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North Bay
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Roger T
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RRor
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What a wonderful story and sooooo newsworthy.
Mark - Fort Erie, ON
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Jeff Cosford
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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
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Notfromontario
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Johnny C.
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I will be first in the queue to dine at the new restaurant.
Being foul mouthed is very "un"cool.....
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Canadians should be raising our social standards not lowering them to this gutter level. Definitely NOT cool.
Hazel
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charismatic and extremely funny.I hope he does open a restaurant here.Keep us posted!
artmen
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Chris
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Zand
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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
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Jason.
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rock
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Gerald Skowronski
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K. Dunn
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I'd be lining up to get in, I'm sure....
Sincerely,
K. Dunn
Lynn
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Open up a restaurant in Toronto and I will be first in line making reservations!!!
Lynda McMullen
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Nicholas
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I hope that he opens a restaurant in Toronto.
MB
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Surf 'n' Turf
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roch
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Dean
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Garry, The Two R'd Wonder
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Ali
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