Modern chefs have faced numerous challenges, from adapting to ever-changing dietary trends to accommodating food intolerances, but one recent culinary trend seems to have crossed a line for Gordon Ramsay.
The famously fiery chef erupted in expletives when questioned about possibly introducing a new menu tailored for those using weight loss drugs like Mounjaro.
“That is absolute bulls***,” Ramsay expressed to the Sunday Times.
The Kitchen Nightmares star criticized other chefs for pandering to ‘fat f***s’ by offering menus with reduced portion sizes.
This includes Heston Blumenthal, a pioneer in gastronomic science, whose restaurant ‘The Fat Duck’ has maintained three Michelin stars for an astonishing 21 consecutive years.
At this renowned establishment, diners now have the option of choosing from smaller, ‘mindful’ menus, catering to the increasing number of individuals using semaglutide and tirzepatide-based medications for weight loss.
Ramsay, who has earned 17 Michelin stars throughout his culinary career, was forthright when discussing this new dining approach, stating: “There’s no f***ing way we’re giving in to the Mounjaro jab … The problem is with them [the diners] for eating too much in the first f***ing place!”
Given that high-end dining often emphasizes indulgent experiences, Ramsay was adamant that his establishments would not adopt this new trend.
“There’s no way that we’re coming in with an Ozempic tasting menu to make you feel like less of a fat f**k by 10:30 in the evening,” he exclaimed to the Times.
Ramsay and some of his peers trained under Marco Pierre White, who famously became the youngest chef to earn three Michelin stars at 33, gaining respect in the culinary world for his sophisticated take on French cuisine with a focus on artistic presentations and seasonal ingredients.
However, the restaurant industry has transformed significantly since their rigorous training under their famously profane mentor in the late 1980s, a shift Ramsay discussed in his interview.
The advent of smartphones and the emergence of food influencers have altered the dining landscape, with patrons often using ‘f***ing ring lights and posting about how good the food is,’ Ramsay noted.
While he acknowledged that these influencers can help promote small businesses, Ramsay lamented the effects this trend has had on dining culture, particularly in the United States.
Despite the typically formal ambiance of high-end restaurants, many of these influencers, Ramsay argued, are among the most disruptive patrons due to their incessant photographing, often using flashlights.