To describe Gordon Ramsay as outspoken is a bit like saying that he swears occasionally and enjoys the odd spot of cooking. And true to form, he’s had tongues wagging ever since he announced in no uncertain terms that women are really rather rubbish in the kitchen.
So far, reactions seem to have fallen into two camps: those who wholeheartedly agree that women can’t, won’t and don’t cook, and those who are nothing short of outraged by comments they claim have no foundation of truth.
His female counterparts were the first to pick up the phone to the nationals for a spot of Gordon-bashing. Clarissa Dickson Wright, co-presenter of Two Fat Ladies, told The Evening Standard that Gordon’s ‘rubbish’ was ‘about 10 years out of date’. Michelin-starred chef Tessa Bramley, meanwhile, categorically denied that a problem exists. ‘It is always women, not men, who do the nitty-gritty work in the kitchen,’ she insisted.
I love women and I love women who cook. I just want there to be more of them
Gordon Ramsay
But not every female celebrity chef was up in arms. Angela Hartnett, Gordon’s head chef at The Connaught, his Mayfair restaurant, revealed that her cookery master classes are full of men who say they do all the cooking at home. 'Their wives just can’t cook,' she told Associated New Media.
The public are equally divided. ‘Absolute twaddle,’ scoffed one female BBC viewer. ‘Ridiculous, I’m one of the best cooks I know,’ raged another. ‘Oh Gordon, get off your high horse and get back in the kitchen where you belong,’ was the advice of one offended lady.
And what of the men? ‘Spot on Ramsay!’ said one. 'What a sexist, egotistical comment,’ ranted another. ‘My previous three girlfriends have been incapable of cooking anything more complicated than beans on toast,’ said one man, clearly enthused by the idea of a campaign to get more women in the kitchen.
Others ventured to put forward reasons for women’s supposed lack of culinary flair. Lack of education, no time and sheer laziness were some. One woman proposed that women are perfectly capable of cooking, they merely pretend otherwise in order to get out of doing it.
It is always women, not men, who do the nitty-gritty work in the kitchen
Tessa Bramley, Michelin-starred chef
Gordon was clearly a tad put out by those who disagreed with his campaign. And just a few days after telling the Radio Times that women ‘can’t cook to save their lives’ and ‘cheat with ready meals’ he piped up again with rather more constructive thoughts: ‘I don't want to force anyone into the kitchen who doesn't want to be there. It's not that women can't cook and don't care. They can't cook and they wish they could do it. Those are the women I want to get back into the kitchen. My campaign is about giving women the skills and confidence they need to help them fall back in love with the kitchen. Men don't seem to need that help - 90% of the people who come to my restaurants and ask to come and see the kitchens are men. I think lots of women see cooking as a chore not a pleasure. Living on ready meals is bad for you and it's miserable. Being able to make a few simple dishes can make you feel good about life and get rid of kitchen phobia.'
‘It's a huge issue. I'm not passing judgement, I'm just trying to help. I love women and I love women who cook. I just want there to be more of them.’
Love him or loathe him, Gordon’s certainly got everyone talking. And whether you agree or disagree with his statements, there’s no denying that they’re based on an extensive survey of our nation’s cooking habits. Find out more about the results.
Watch past series of The F Word and Kitchen Nightmares for FREE on your PC with 4oD
Follow the action from series 4 of the F Word
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