Gordon Ramsay Confronts Past Controversy in Netflix Series
In a revealing new Netflix documentary series, world-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay has opened up about one of the most notorious incidents of his career: forcibly ejecting prominent critic AA Gill from his restaurant in the late 1990s. The celebrity chef, known for his fiery temper and exacting standards, admitted that his actions were inappropriate while simultaneously defending his decision to remove the late reviewer.
The Infamous 1998 Ejection Incident
The confrontation occurred in October 1998 at The Gordon Ramsay restaurant in Chelsea, when Gill arrived for dinner accompanied by actress Dame Joan Collins. Ramsay waited approximately twenty minutes after Gill had placed his order before demanding that the critic leave the premises immediately. This dramatic expulsion followed a scathing review Gill had written for The Sunday Times about Ramsay's previous establishment, Aubergine, in which the critic described Ramsay as "a failed sportsman who acts like an 11-year-old."
Reflecting on the incident in the six-part documentary series, Ramsay stated: "I know it was wrong." However, he quickly qualified this admission by branding Gill a "knobhead" who maintained "a brutal personal vendetta" against him. The chef emphasized that while constructive criticism from reviewers is valuable and even essential for professional growth, he believes Gill's commentary crossed into unnecessarily personal territory.
Ramsay's Perspective on the Confrontation
Ramsay recalled his thought process during the tense encounter, noting that Gill seemed to believe his celebrity dining companion would provide protection from confrontation. "When he walked in with Joan Collins, he thought that I wouldn't have the balls to do anything to him 'cause he's sat with the glamorous, amazing Joan Collins," Ramsay explained. "And yeah, I couldn't wait for him to sit down, get the menu, time 20 minutes and ask him to get the hell out of that restaurant."
The chef added with characteristic bluntness: "Whether you're with Joan Collins or sat with the Queen, you're still going out, mate – you're not sitting here." Ramsay concluded his reflection on the incident by stating: "I know it was wrong, but that's what happens when women like Joan Collins come to dinner with knobheads."
Documentary Explores Ramsay's Personal and Professional Life
The Netflix series, titled Being Gordon Ramsay and scheduled for release on 18 February, provides unprecedented access to both the chef's professional endeavors and his family life with wife Tana and their six children. The documentary follows Ramsay as he develops five new dining concepts within London's landmark 22 Bishopsgate building while simultaneously navigating complex family dynamics.
Significant attention is devoted to Ramsay's daughters, Tilly and Holly, with particular focus on Holly's December 2025 wedding to Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty. The series documents wedding preparations against a backdrop of reported family tensions, which Ramsay recently described as "upsetting" in comments to the Daily Mail. The chef denied any wrongdoing in the family dispute, stating that he and Tana had "welcomed" Peaty's family when Holly began her relationship with the athlete.
Ramsay addressed the reported rift directly, telling the publication: "It's just upsetting. It's all self-inflicted from their side, because we've done nothing – none of what you've read: no rudeness, no ignorance – we welcomed them." The documentary promises to offer viewers a multifaceted portrait of one of the culinary world's most recognizable and controversial figures, blending professional reflection with intimate family moments.
