Reality Star Bio: Chef Gordon Ramsay of Hell's Kitchen

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Scottish by birth, Gordon Ramsay was raised in England after his parents moved south to Stratford-Upon-Avon. His first career break came while playing football for Oxford United, where he was spotted by a Glasgow Rangers scout in an F.A. youth club match. After completing trials he was signed by the Scottish champions at the age of 15. Three years later he had given up professional football and gone back to college to complete a course in hotel management.

Ramsay moved to London, where he joined Marco Pierre White in the early days of Harvey's in Wandsworth. After a couple of years Ramsay moved to Le Gavroche to work alongside chef Albert Roux. This was followed by three years of working in France in the kitchens of Guy Savoy and Joël Robuchon. Here he was able to enhance his expertise in classic French cooking.

In October 1993, Ramsay became chef of the newly opened Aubergine, where he won many accolades, including two Michelin stars within three years of opening.

Ramsay's first book, “Passion for Flavour,” was published by Conran Octopus in October 1996. His second book, “Passion for Seafood,” was published in May 1999. “A Chef for all Seasons” was published by Quadrille in September 2000, followed by “Just Desserts” in September 2001 and “Secrets” in 2003.

In 1998 at the age of 31, Ramsay set up his first wholly owned restaurant, Gordon Ramsay, on the former site of La Tante Claire in Chelsea. A year later he opened Pétrus with his protegé Marcus Wareing as Chef Patron, in St. James's. Within seven months it had won a Michelin star. In October 2001 Ramsay opened Gordon Ramsay in Claridge's, which gained a Michelin star in 2003.

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