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Gordon Ramsay’s Playing with Fire: The no-holds-barred autobiography of the star chef
Not a sausage. That is what Gordon Ramsay had when he started out as a chef, working 16-hour days, 6 days a week. When he was struggling to get his first restaurant in the black, he didn't think he'd be famous for a TV show about how to run profitable eateries, or that he'd be head of a business empire. But he is and he did. Here's how.
"In the beginning there was nothing.
Not a sausage - penniless, broke, fucking nothing - and although, at a certain age, that didn’t matter hugely, there came a time when hand-me-downs, cast-offs and football boots of odd sizes all pointed to a problem that seemed to have afflicted me, my mum, my sisters, Ronnie and the whole lot of us. It was as though we had been dealt the ‘all-time dysfunctional’ poker hand.
I wish I could say that, from this point on, the penny dropped and I decided to do something about it, but it wasn’t like that. It would take years before the lessons of life, business and money began to click into place - before, as they say, I had a pot to piss in.
This is the story of how those lessons were learned."
This is Gordon Ramsay at his raw, rugged best. PLAYING WITH FIRE is the amazing story of Gordon’s journey from sous-chef to superstar. In his no-holds-barred style, Gordon shares his passion for risk and adventure and his hard-won success secrets.
"In the beginning there was nothing.
Not a sausage - penniless, broke, fucking nothing - and although, at a certain age, that didn’t matter hugely, there came a time when hand-me-downs, cast-offs and football boots of odd sizes all pointed to a problem that seemed to have afflicted me, my mum, my sisters, Ronnie and the whole lot of us. It was as though we had been dealt the ‘all-time dysfunctional’ poker hand.
I wish I could say that, from this point on, the penny dropped and I decided to do something about it, but it wasn’t like that. It would take years before the lessons of life, business and money began to click into place - before, as they say, I had a pot to piss in.
This is the story of how those lessons were learned."
This is Gordon Ramsay at his raw, rugged best. PLAYING WITH FIRE is the amazing story of Gordon’s journey from sous-chef to superstar. In his no-holds-barred style, Gordon shares his passion for risk and adventure and his hard-won success secrets.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
123 people are currently reading
645 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Ramsay
176 books695 followersGordon James Ramsay is a British celebrity chef, restaurateur, television presenter, and writer. His restaurant group, Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, was founded in 1997 and has been awarded 17 Michelin stars overall and currently holds eight. His signature restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea, London, has held three Michelin stars since 2001. After rising to fame on the British television miniseries Boiling Point in 1999, Ramsay became one of the best-known and most influential chefs in the world.
Ramsay's TV persona is defined by his fiery temper, aggressive behaviour, strict demeanour, and frequent use of profanity, while making blunt, critical, and controversial comments, including insults and sardonic wisecracks about contestants and their cooking abilities. He combines activities in the television, film, hospitality and food industries, and has promoted and hired various chefs who have apprenticed under his wing. He is known for presenting television programmes about competitive cookery and food, such as the British series Hell's Kitchen (2004), Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares (2004–2009, 2014), and The F Word (2005–2010), with Kitchen Nightmares winning the 2005 British Academy Television Award for Best Feature, and the American versions of Hell's Kitchen (2005–present), Kitchen Nightmares (2007–present), MasterChef (2010–present), and MasterChef Junior (2013–present), as well as Hotel Hell (2012–2016), Gordon Behind Bars (2012), Gordon Ramsay's 24 Hours to Hell and Back (2018–2020), and Next Level Chef (2022–present).
Ramsay was appointed an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2006 New Year Honours list for services to the hospitality industry. He was named the top chef in the UK at the 2000 Catey Awards, and in July 2006 he won the Catey for Independent Restaurateur of the Year, becoming the third person to win three Catey Awards. Forbes listed his 2020 earnings at US $70 million and ranked him at No.19 on its list of the highest-earning celebrities.
Ramsay's TV persona is defined by his fiery temper, aggressive behaviour, strict demeanour, and frequent use of profanity, while making blunt, critical, and controversial comments, including insults and sardonic wisecracks about contestants and their cooking abilities. He combines activities in the television, film, hospitality and food industries, and has promoted and hired various chefs who have apprenticed under his wing. He is known for presenting television programmes about competitive cookery and food, such as the British series Hell's Kitchen (2004), Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares (2004–2009, 2014), and The F Word (2005–2010), with Kitchen Nightmares winning the 2005 British Academy Television Award for Best Feature, and the American versions of Hell's Kitchen (2005–present), Kitchen Nightmares (2007–present), MasterChef (2010–present), and MasterChef Junior (2013–present), as well as Hotel Hell (2012–2016), Gordon Behind Bars (2012), Gordon Ramsay's 24 Hours to Hell and Back (2018–2020), and Next Level Chef (2022–present).
Ramsay was appointed an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2006 New Year Honours list for services to the hospitality industry. He was named the top chef in the UK at the 2000 Catey Awards, and in July 2006 he won the Catey for Independent Restaurateur of the Year, becoming the third person to win three Catey Awards. Forbes listed his 2020 earnings at US $70 million and ranked him at No.19 on its list of the highest-earning celebrities.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
September 26, 2019
I have never seen Gordon Ramsay on TV, have never eaten at any of his restaurants, and this is the first book by him that I have read. All I knew about him, before reading this book, was that he was a famous chef who liked to swear a lot ... lol
If you are a big Gordon fan, you'll love this book. If not, it may not interest you very much. He mostly talks about business ... how he started, steps he took, mistakes he made, plans for the future. There isn't any real discussion of food, family, etc. Having said all that, I am impressed by his drive, and energy.
3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.
If you are a big Gordon fan, you'll love this book. If not, it may not interest you very much. He mostly talks about business ... how he started, steps he took, mistakes he made, plans for the future. There isn't any real discussion of food, family, etc. Having said all that, I am impressed by his drive, and energy.
3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.
June 26, 2012
Was surprised by this book, and not in a good way. I thought I would be reading an autobiography about Gordon Ramsay's life, but nope. It's all business and frankly I found that quite boring. I bet some people like it, but to be honest I had problems even getting through the book at all. If you're more interested in Gordon Ramsay as a person, go read Humble Pie instead, that book did not disappoint!
June 4, 2020
Gordon Ramsay’s Humble Pie which released in 2006 was an utter delight to read. It still remains one of my top 10 books of all time. The sensitivity with which the book was written coupled with his honesty made it a compelling and awe-inspiring read. That is precisely what got me reading Playing With Fire.
Released only a year after Humble Pie, Playing… is also an autobiography and has the similar Gordan Ramsay tone to the text; ranting at times and replete with expletives. However, if you’re picking this book up to get more insights into his personal life, you’re in for disappointment. Playing… depicts Ramsay more as a businessman than a chef.
This book maps his culinary career from Paris to New York. Content-wise, it reads like the ‘Career’ sub-category of a Wikipedia page. Yet, what makes it so readable is Ramsay’s unique voice and cheeky sense of humour. This book, for the first half, reads like a breeze. You’re halfway through before you know it. However, about 150 pages into the book, he gets a little tiresome and self-indulgent. If you’re not someone who’s inclined towards the restaurant business, you would care less about what this man has to say about culinary hardships in the form of taxmen, appropriate architecture, and (in)competent waiters.
Chris Hutcheson, Ramsay’s father-in-law, can be seen as the other ‘protagonist’ of this autobiography. (Well, as protagonistic as someone who steals from a man who gave him an entire career can be.) Ramsay, with great care, elucidates on how Hutcheson was instrumental to his success and rise as a chef. While Ramsay wore the whites, it was Hutcheson who handled the business side of things ranging from inspecting prospective properties to dealing with taxes and meeting potential equity partners. It is this tandem that led Ramsay to the stars (7 of them to be precise).
Honestly, Playing… deals with a lot of things on the commercial side of Ramsay’s life. We learn about his obsession with cars (and careless expenditure on the same), his emphasis on buying good quality carpets for restaurants, how much he enjoys his fame from time-to-time, and most importantly about the concept of ‘Chef’s Table’ that started at his restaurant and has become a worldwide phenomenon in fine dining. Ramsay also uses this platform to comment upon the carelessness of flights and how people less influential than him are treated, along with how corporations are built to drain money out of businesses. In brief, he also delves into the cultural differences that he encountered when opening a restaurant in a coastal city like Dubai as opposed to one wet and grey like London.
In conclusion, if you’re someone who’s passionate about the restaurant business and are an information junkie on the likes of Ramsay, this book is for you. It’ll offer you, on a platter, a list of dos and don'ts on how to deal with The Gordon Ramsay. If you’re none of the above, you’ll put it down 100 pages in.
I thought it a pleasant read nonetheless.
Released only a year after Humble Pie, Playing… is also an autobiography and has the similar Gordan Ramsay tone to the text; ranting at times and replete with expletives. However, if you’re picking this book up to get more insights into his personal life, you’re in for disappointment. Playing… depicts Ramsay more as a businessman than a chef.
This book maps his culinary career from Paris to New York. Content-wise, it reads like the ‘Career’ sub-category of a Wikipedia page. Yet, what makes it so readable is Ramsay’s unique voice and cheeky sense of humour. This book, for the first half, reads like a breeze. You’re halfway through before you know it. However, about 150 pages into the book, he gets a little tiresome and self-indulgent. If you’re not someone who’s inclined towards the restaurant business, you would care less about what this man has to say about culinary hardships in the form of taxmen, appropriate architecture, and (in)competent waiters.
Chris Hutcheson, Ramsay’s father-in-law, can be seen as the other ‘protagonist’ of this autobiography. (Well, as protagonistic as someone who steals from a man who gave him an entire career can be.) Ramsay, with great care, elucidates on how Hutcheson was instrumental to his success and rise as a chef. While Ramsay wore the whites, it was Hutcheson who handled the business side of things ranging from inspecting prospective properties to dealing with taxes and meeting potential equity partners. It is this tandem that led Ramsay to the stars (7 of them to be precise).
Honestly, Playing… deals with a lot of things on the commercial side of Ramsay’s life. We learn about his obsession with cars (and careless expenditure on the same), his emphasis on buying good quality carpets for restaurants, how much he enjoys his fame from time-to-time, and most importantly about the concept of ‘Chef’s Table’ that started at his restaurant and has become a worldwide phenomenon in fine dining. Ramsay also uses this platform to comment upon the carelessness of flights and how people less influential than him are treated, along with how corporations are built to drain money out of businesses. In brief, he also delves into the cultural differences that he encountered when opening a restaurant in a coastal city like Dubai as opposed to one wet and grey like London.
In conclusion, if you’re someone who’s passionate about the restaurant business and are an information junkie on the likes of Ramsay, this book is for you. It’ll offer you, on a platter, a list of dos and don'ts on how to deal with The Gordon Ramsay. If you’re none of the above, you’ll put it down 100 pages in.
I thought it a pleasant read nonetheless.
November 6, 2011
The first challenge I had with this book was one of authorship. According to the copyright page "Gordon Ramsay asserts the moral right to be identified as author of this book". That tells me that there was definitely some ghost writing involved. Given what I'm sure is an insane schedule I can understand why he chose to delegate parts of the writing process.
The book however, suffers as a result of this. Having enjoyed Kitchen Nightmares UK and getting a sense of who Chef Ramsay is, it did do a good job of providing some perspective of the major events in his life. It does not have the overall narrative, continuity or emotion that one would expect in an autobiography.
I think the best way to approach the book is to view it as if it were one of his shows that followed him around anytime he wasn't in the kitchen, but was at work (his home life is kept private and not in the book). Along the way he takes risks, learns lessons and ultimately succeeds in building Gordon Ramsay and Gordon Ramsay holdings into a successful world brand. If you are hoping to get to know him, this isn't the book to accomplish that.
The book however, suffers as a result of this. Having enjoyed Kitchen Nightmares UK and getting a sense of who Chef Ramsay is, it did do a good job of providing some perspective of the major events in his life. It does not have the overall narrative, continuity or emotion that one would expect in an autobiography.
I think the best way to approach the book is to view it as if it were one of his shows that followed him around anytime he wasn't in the kitchen, but was at work (his home life is kept private and not in the book). Along the way he takes risks, learns lessons and ultimately succeeds in building Gordon Ramsay and Gordon Ramsay holdings into a successful world brand. If you are hoping to get to know him, this isn't the book to accomplish that.
March 8, 2020
I read Humble Pie a few years ago now and although not a big Ramsay fan felt that maybe the tv didn’t show him in the best light and he came across much better in the book. So I picked this up thinking it was a follow up, however it’s more about how he created his empire. He is lucky to get on so well with his father in law who has been instrumental in the business. The book does seem to jump around a bit and is heavily business related, great if your into that sort of thing or need some knowledge in how to get on in that world. On the plus side, as I read it with Ramsay’s voice in my head, I think I read it at the speed he talks, making it a quick read.
August 9, 2020
I love you Gordon, but this isn’t it.
I was expecting a book about his life and growing up and his family, but it’s just all about his career and what (not) to do when running a restaurant. It’s also definitely ghost written.
I was expecting a book about his life and growing up and his family, but it’s just all about his career and what (not) to do when running a restaurant. It’s also definitely ghost written.
November 10, 2010
Interesting to read but not as good as "Humble Pie". More facts about how to success with your restaurant. As well, in a way, it is about how to spend money :P
July 27, 2013
My favourite kick-ass business book that gets me re-motivated every time to be the best I can be. No excuses!
September 30, 2023
A very detailed insight into the start of Gordon Ramsay Holdings and how he began to acquire restaurants and build his restaurant portfolio whole breaking into Hollywood and show business.
February 3, 2024
I often worry when it comes to reading book by people I admire. They can often change my views of them.
I love most of what Gordon Ramsay does on our screens and I expected a rather arrogant and self worshiping account in this book. I’m glad to say I was wrong.
The majority of the book read as a love letter to his father in law, Chris, along with appreciation and praise so many others who have entered his life.
It had a snapshot into his businesses and building on them, through hard grad, key to detail and people.
The only profanities felt in place, and there was a nice pace throughout making it easy to read in no time at all.
I will definitely look to read Humble pie in the future.
I love most of what Gordon Ramsay does on our screens and I expected a rather arrogant and self worshiping account in this book. I’m glad to say I was wrong.
The majority of the book read as a love letter to his father in law, Chris, along with appreciation and praise so many others who have entered his life.
It had a snapshot into his businesses and building on them, through hard grad, key to detail and people.
The only profanities felt in place, and there was a nice pace throughout making it easy to read in no time at all.
I will definitely look to read Humble pie in the future.
November 2, 2021
2/5 Stars
Bear with me - I’m still trying to work out what I just read… is an autobiography? A business guide? A motivational tome? A literary parental lecture? Who knows? Not me!
I’m not sure what I was expecting - I suppose more of a biography style book. This just seemed to me to be a near-300 page boast about how he’s made a lot of money in the early 2000s.
If you aspire to be a celebrity chef, there may be hints and tips in here to benefit you. Otherwise, save yourself the time and money and read something else.
Bear with me - I’m still trying to work out what I just read… is an autobiography? A business guide? A motivational tome? A literary parental lecture? Who knows? Not me!
I’m not sure what I was expecting - I suppose more of a biography style book. This just seemed to me to be a near-300 page boast about how he’s made a lot of money in the early 2000s.
If you aspire to be a celebrity chef, there may be hints and tips in here to benefit you. Otherwise, save yourself the time and money and read something else.
October 1, 2023
A nice read
January 30, 2020
This is a very weird book - a strange mishmash of part memoir, part business advice. Ultimately, it really doesn't do either very well. I really like Ramsay, whatever you think of him, he has changed the whole landscape of cookery for the last two decades.
I thought this book might be a set of general life lessons for business, which sounded particularly suited to Ramsay's personal journey: from growing up in poverty to running a multi-million dollar restaurant empire. I didn't really expect to read lengthy chapters about the workings of HMRC or the struggles of labour unions in New York. I find it strange that this book goes from focusing on big encompassing themes like the importance of teamwork and self belief to weirdly specific chapters about finding the right Financial Director for your business.
However, the rare anecdotal insights about the inner workings of Gordon's restaurant empire make this book worth reading. Gordon is a natural storyteller and writes in such a refreshingly clear-cut, no-nonsense manner. Just a shame these bits are not the main crux of the text.
I thought this book might be a set of general life lessons for business, which sounded particularly suited to Ramsay's personal journey: from growing up in poverty to running a multi-million dollar restaurant empire. I didn't really expect to read lengthy chapters about the workings of HMRC or the struggles of labour unions in New York. I find it strange that this book goes from focusing on big encompassing themes like the importance of teamwork and self belief to weirdly specific chapters about finding the right Financial Director for your business.
However, the rare anecdotal insights about the inner workings of Gordon's restaurant empire make this book worth reading. Gordon is a natural storyteller and writes in such a refreshingly clear-cut, no-nonsense manner. Just a shame these bits are not the main crux of the text.
August 16, 2018
Entertaining with a touch of inspiration
It reads exactly as Gordon Ramsay speaks, which, for those of delicate sensibilities, means lots of swear words. But as someone who enjoys the creative use of profanity, it didn't bother me at all. It's always good to read a real life story of someone building something amazing from the ground up, and this is one of those books. There are a few spots where it seems to drag a little, but overall the light and down- to-earth tone carry it through. I would say there are definitely a few gems in here for anyone looking to go into business for themselves, given from someone who's shown that he has what it takes to achieve big success by overcoming past missteps to take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves. Overall, a good read.
It reads exactly as Gordon Ramsay speaks, which, for those of delicate sensibilities, means lots of swear words. But as someone who enjoys the creative use of profanity, it didn't bother me at all. It's always good to read a real life story of someone building something amazing from the ground up, and this is one of those books. There are a few spots where it seems to drag a little, but overall the light and down- to-earth tone carry it through. I would say there are definitely a few gems in here for anyone looking to go into business for themselves, given from someone who's shown that he has what it takes to achieve big success by overcoming past missteps to take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves. Overall, a good read.
November 15, 2016
I always wanted to read about Gordon Ramsay . I watched him on Tv in 2006 and I loved his show Hells Kitchen.
I realized it's not easy to be a Celebrity Chef and one do not become anything without hard-work, dedication, motivation, patience , guidance & sheer luck. He was quite lucky enough to be pushed by Chris to build a Gordon Ramsay empire. There is so much going on behind to start a small restaurant. It was explained quite in depth for person not knowing about anything related to restaurant business.
I liked the book. Language was quite simple. I think I will always remain Gordon's fan.
I realized it's not easy to be a Celebrity Chef and one do not become anything without hard-work, dedication, motivation, patience , guidance & sheer luck. He was quite lucky enough to be pushed by Chris to build a Gordon Ramsay empire. There is so much going on behind to start a small restaurant. It was explained quite in depth for person not knowing about anything related to restaurant business.
I liked the book. Language was quite simple. I think I will always remain Gordon's fan.
July 24, 2016
Good book, good mentality. Definitely learned a lot. The only downside was that the ending of the book is a little long. I'm not really used to the conclusion being three chapters long.
Also, Gordon Ramsay's middle name is James, who knew?
Also, bad Gordon, we're not Holland, we're the Netherlands.
Also, Gordon Ramsay's middle name is James, who knew?
Also, bad Gordon, we're not Holland, we're the Netherlands.
August 9, 2020
When you read it, it's like you're having a conservation with Gordon himself.
It was interesting to hear how his empire had expanded and where it began, but there seemed to be some elements missing.
1/3 through the book I got fed up with the acquisitions and how fantastic it was all going. He is humble, but he also talks a lot about his ego and it became tiresome.
It was interesting to hear how his empire had expanded and where it began, but there seemed to be some elements missing.
1/3 through the book I got fed up with the acquisitions and how fantastic it was all going. He is humble, but he also talks a lot about his ego and it became tiresome.
September 22, 2020
Love this book. It detailed the story of his journey from no name to the biggest in the world. You can feel his passion and 'hear' him talk through the words in the book.
One of the better read I have.
One of the better read I have.
June 17, 2021
You will read this in his voice. Beautiful and candid account from the premier celebrity chef. Really enjoyable read, and you’ll definitely learn somethings about business, life and cooking.
He even writes like how he talks!
He even writes like how he talks!
December 6, 2025
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14627755
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14627755
July 14, 2024
A business primer...
If you're aware of Gordon Ramsay, you're aware that his two favorite four letter words start with F, and one of them is 'food'. This led me to anticipate a rousing book about his start and progress in becoming the Gordon we all know.
I was wrong. With minimal talk about food, this is a primer on what he cares to share about the restaurant business, as shown here:
"The Versailles project involves taking over the whole food and beverage operation of the Trianon Palace, just 15 kilometres outside Paris. In many ways the labour issues reflect those in New York, with all sorts of spikey HR problems that, frankly, I leave in their entirety to the lawyers. It is going to be difficult enough to produce a menu that will withstand the French press, who will be anxious to ridicule Les Rosbifs, and I look forward to taking them on in Waterloo II, The Sequel."
While there is a sly sense of humor, it's trampled by frustration and annoyance about the everyday bothers of business, including taxes. The advice is sound, but overall not worth the time to winnow out the wheat, so to speak.
Other reviewers have commented that it's clearly ghost written, which doesn't show at first glance on the cover. Disappointing.
If you're aware of Gordon Ramsay, you're aware that his two favorite four letter words start with F, and one of them is 'food'. This led me to anticipate a rousing book about his start and progress in becoming the Gordon we all know.
I was wrong. With minimal talk about food, this is a primer on what he cares to share about the restaurant business, as shown here:
"The Versailles project involves taking over the whole food and beverage operation of the Trianon Palace, just 15 kilometres outside Paris. In many ways the labour issues reflect those in New York, with all sorts of spikey HR problems that, frankly, I leave in their entirety to the lawyers. It is going to be difficult enough to produce a menu that will withstand the French press, who will be anxious to ridicule Les Rosbifs, and I look forward to taking them on in Waterloo II, The Sequel."
While there is a sly sense of humor, it's trampled by frustration and annoyance about the everyday bothers of business, including taxes. The advice is sound, but overall not worth the time to winnow out the wheat, so to speak.
Other reviewers have commented that it's clearly ghost written, which doesn't show at first glance on the cover. Disappointing.
November 13, 2021
Yet another book that makes me wish there was a 3.5 stars option (even .75 rating wouldn't do any harm) It seems a bit harsh to give this only 3 stars, but I can't give it 4.
I followed Gordon for years, however this is the very first book I picked up. Even though I wasn't sure what it is exactly about, I knew I was going to like it. I was hoping I would learn more about Ramsay's childhood and his beginnings in the kitchen, and there is maybe another book out there about that. This on the other hand shows the buisness side of his career and to be honest it is quite fascinating to read how determined and motivated he was to succeed.
This man simply knows how to run a buisness and knows very well how to surround himself with people that he can trust and he makes sure they will stay with him through thick and thin. This man has very high standards that have to be delivered no matter what. It is interesting to get inside Gordon Ramsay's mind when it comes to running a restaurant and staring up a new and unfamilliar things.
I followed Gordon for years, however this is the very first book I picked up. Even though I wasn't sure what it is exactly about, I knew I was going to like it. I was hoping I would learn more about Ramsay's childhood and his beginnings in the kitchen, and there is maybe another book out there about that. This on the other hand shows the buisness side of his career and to be honest it is quite fascinating to read how determined and motivated he was to succeed.
This man simply knows how to run a buisness and knows very well how to surround himself with people that he can trust and he makes sure they will stay with him through thick and thin. This man has very high standards that have to be delivered no matter what. It is interesting to get inside Gordon Ramsay's mind when it comes to running a restaurant and staring up a new and unfamilliar things.
April 30, 2024
Gordon Ramsay - everyone loves to hate and hates to love - is everywhere, on TV, in restaurants and is now a global celebrity.
playing with Fire is a deep and personal memoir of the rise of Ramsay and documents the decisions and plans that have resulted in restaurants and interests all around the world. It’s fascinating to hear of the one (or two) man enterprise become a restaurant behemoth and the snowball effect of strong characteristics, shrewd business, luck but overall a drive to succeed.
Ramsay is proud of his achievements but isn’t so bold as to forget who has helped him get there, people that have been loyal and crucial to his success. He advocates team work and hard work, professionalism and this bio helps to paint a slightly softer yet intelligent side of someone more accustomed to swearing and aggression.
playing with Fire is a deep and personal memoir of the rise of Ramsay and documents the decisions and plans that have resulted in restaurants and interests all around the world. It’s fascinating to hear of the one (or two) man enterprise become a restaurant behemoth and the snowball effect of strong characteristics, shrewd business, luck but overall a drive to succeed.
Ramsay is proud of his achievements but isn’t so bold as to forget who has helped him get there, people that have been loyal and crucial to his success. He advocates team work and hard work, professionalism and this bio helps to paint a slightly softer yet intelligent side of someone more accustomed to swearing and aggression.
June 19, 2017
I really like Gordon Ramsay and enjoyed this book.
However, given it's 2017 and this book is about 10 yrs out of date, it would be nice to have a revised updated version.
That being said, if you want a bit of background to how Gordon got started this is kind of successful chef but not successful business man stage.
One thing I did notice Marco Pierre White get's just one mention in the whole book and it wasn't a nice one, which seems odd given he must have had quite an influence on the early Ramsay. Although, I understand they had fallen out at some stage.
It's great to see him giving so much kudos to his father in law, it seems they make a great team.
Anyway, Gordons the man of that there is no doubt.
However, given it's 2017 and this book is about 10 yrs out of date, it would be nice to have a revised updated version.
That being said, if you want a bit of background to how Gordon got started this is kind of successful chef but not successful business man stage.
One thing I did notice Marco Pierre White get's just one mention in the whole book and it wasn't a nice one, which seems odd given he must have had quite an influence on the early Ramsay. Although, I understand they had fallen out at some stage.
It's great to see him giving so much kudos to his father in law, it seems they make a great team.
Anyway, Gordons the man of that there is no doubt.
August 2, 2018
The follow up to his autobiography 'Humble Pie', focussing on the business lessons he has learnt over the years. If you have already read 'Humble Pie', there is some overlap and repetition. This book was easy to read and Gordon Ramsay has a lively, colourful, expressive use of language which at times is funny. He has high standards and recognises the value of a loyal workforce and epouses that if you find somebody good at his/her job, keep hold of that person. But he is also very arrogant and can be at times dimissive of people.
As I have already read 'Humble Pie', and also for his comment about how it will take him some time to get used to paternity leave and shared parental leave (attitudes like that belong in the past), I am going to give this book 2 stars.
As I have already read 'Humble Pie', and also for his comment about how it will take him some time to get used to paternity leave and shared parental leave (attitudes like that belong in the past), I am going to give this book 2 stars.
August 19, 2025
Quite insightful, talks mainly about the business side of how the Gordon Ramsay empire has been built on the grounds of the partnership between Gordon (the apron), his father in law Chris (the suit), and the leagues of talented chefs he has worked alongside during his career. Mentorship (both giving and receiving it) is a central theme, as are relationships with people in various industries.
He emphasised the importance of pursuing excellence in anything that you do, ceding ground where you are NOT as skilled, and collaboration to bring excellent service to customers.
We watch him gradually build various enterprises across the globe. I really enjoyed the fact that he dedicated a chapter to women in this industry.
Overall, a pretty good read.
He emphasised the importance of pursuing excellence in anything that you do, ceding ground where you are NOT as skilled, and collaboration to bring excellent service to customers.
We watch him gradually build various enterprises across the globe. I really enjoyed the fact that he dedicated a chapter to women in this industry.
Overall, a pretty good read.
December 13, 2022
Gordon Ramsay writes about his journey as an entrepreneur, a topic that interests me as he emphasises getting a good team, hard work, establishing trusted partnerships — values which we can learn from. Two points that I really like, he describes how the fine dining business maximises profits, and he talks about buying his house. I have followed Gordon Ramsay's Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner series and had always admired his home kitchen on set. The chapter about his house talks about the kitchen, and what a delight to see the photo of the kitchen, the same as in the series! Hell's Kitchen adventures mentioned as well. Easy to read, he writes exactly like he speaks.
July 21, 2023
This started off as a hard slog but I quickly came to really enjoy it. I’m a fan of Ramsay’s and have watched Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares and more of his shows for years.
It’s interesting to read all about the successes and failures of different ventures, albeit a little confusing at first given I didn’t know too much about the subject matter or the people involved. Perhaps it might have been better to read ‘Humble Pie’ first but I don’t think there’s too much connection here.
Great read, found it hard to put down. A similar ‘condensed’ version of Alan Sugar’s autobiography I read earlier in the year. I’m sure Gordon would be delighted with that comparison…
It’s interesting to read all about the successes and failures of different ventures, albeit a little confusing at first given I didn’t know too much about the subject matter or the people involved. Perhaps it might have been better to read ‘Humble Pie’ first but I don’t think there’s too much connection here.
Great read, found it hard to put down. A similar ‘condensed’ version of Alan Sugar’s autobiography I read earlier in the year. I’m sure Gordon would be delighted with that comparison…
January 25, 2025
The sequel to “Humble Piel”.
‘Playing with Fire’ is a somewhat fun and engaging autobiographical book of Ramsay’s life post the events of ‘Humble Pie’.
Such as business expansion, cars, books and TV - Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares - what god tier shows!!
It is written in quite conversational language which imo, is good.
However, it drags on a bit and isn’t quite as funny.
He still hasn’t found the fucking thing… so “where’s the LAMB SAUCE?!!! WHERE’S THE LAMB SAAAAUUUCCEEE!!!!!???” 😆😂
‘Playing with Fire’ is a somewhat fun and engaging autobiographical book of Ramsay’s life post the events of ‘Humble Pie’.
Such as business expansion, cars, books and TV - Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares - what god tier shows!!
It is written in quite conversational language which imo, is good.
However, it drags on a bit and isn’t quite as funny.
He still hasn’t found the fucking thing… so “where’s the LAMB SAUCE?!!! WHERE’S THE LAMB SAAAAUUUCCEEE!!!!!???” 😆😂
April 25, 2018
Love the television shows.
Did not enjoy the book so much. There were some interesting points, however too much was written regarding finances. I expect this book would appeal to entrepreneurs, rather than a simple fan of Mr. Ramsay.
Did not enjoy the book so much. There were some interesting points, however too much was written regarding finances. I expect this book would appeal to entrepreneurs, rather than a simple fan of Mr. Ramsay.
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