A new documentary now streaming on NETFLIX gives viewers a very different view of one of the world’s most celebrated – sometimes castigated – celeb chefs. It covers a two-year period during which Gordon Ramsay builds a new downtown London restaurant…
Erin and I sat down to take in the new NETFLIX limited series as soon as it dé-buted on our Canadian branch of the movie and TV provider. We weren’t dis-appointed.
In fact, we were suitably impressed.
But not surprised…
No. We were NOT surprised to see a side of Ramsay we hadn’t seen before. Because we HAD seen it before, in one of his earlier TV series which was filmed in his own home kitchen, often costar-ring members of his big, quirky family.
Alas! Later TV series and other media vehicles have come to portray him as a sort of kitchen Satan, finding only fault and using words – often 4-letter ones – like pike lances. The most vitriolic and nastiest of these was titled, all too ap-propriately, Hell’s Kitchen.
But Ramsay emerges as a fundamentally different character in the new NETFLIX doc.
The ‘real’ Ramsay…
He’s still as energetic, opinionated and frequently profane as we remember him. But he also emerges as a more controlled personality, with a volumious capacity for critical thought and logical reasoning.
And – perhaps to his chagrin, image-wise – Ramsay is also unmasked as a real person who cares for others and for what’s important to them. Which brings me to the observation that he’s one of the most doting, attentive and indulgent parts you’ll ever meet.
It’s gratifying to know that the once-volcanic kitchen boss (when he was still a YOUNG perfectionist), has mellowed enough to play well with others.
Two sides to the story
But let’s not forget the other sider o0f the story chronicled i9n the documentary. It follows the mer-curial, perambulatory Ramsay through the final 22 months of preparation for opening his grandest endveavour to date: A four-space dining complex in the penthouse of London’s tallest building. He and his hand-picked crew take it from bare walls to a fully-fitted and decorated resto before your eyes, over 6 raucus episodes.
At the same time, Ramsay and his executive chef spend hours setting and meticulously testing the new menus for 4 very different dining experiences. And we also get to know about the key members of the kitchen team: from line cooks and prep cooks to bakers and confectioners.
A family affair
And throughout, the action is punctuated by encounters with the Ramsay clan, including the family dog and cat. Who Ramsay obviously considers equal members of the ‘firm’.
There’s a lot going on, on the family side… Ramsay’s oldest kids are married, and one daughter has a child of her own. Yes! Ramsay is a grandfather. At the age of 59, he still projects youthfulness in the documentary. Except in the odd closeup when the lighting is just right, that shows up the inevitable wrinkles. But one would have to be a superhero or a god to navigate a career such as he’s enjoyed without earning a few facial fjords…
My take
I like the Gordon Ramsay I came to know in the NETFLIX series. I also appreciate being made privy to the deeper, more human Ramsay I always suspected was hidden under that scaly surface.
But I think the one thing I enjoyed most over all 6 hours of the doc was the realization that Ramsay is capable of smiling. When it’s absolutely warranted…
~ Maggie J.