Gordon Ramsay Slams Critics Accusing Him of ‘Cultural Appropriation’ Over ‘Asian’ Restaurant

WATCH: Chef Gordon Ramsay working to lose 50 pounds

I’m a big fan of Gordon Ramsay. He’s no-nonsense, but he has a tender side. He may scream at people who don’t listen, but he does it because he cares. CLEARLY. Watch those shows. (PS– I also love watching him interact with kiddos on MasterChef Junior. He’s a big softie!

I still haven’t gone to one of his restaurants yet, but it’s on my bucket list.

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ANYWAY. Gordon Ramsay recently previewed his new Mayfair Asian restaurant, Lucky Cat. However, an Asian food writer–Angela Hui– is furious and accusing Ramsay and his crew of “cultural appropriation.”

Writing for the London Eater website, she posted a scathing review calling the new venture ‘nothing if not a real life Ramsay kitchen nightmare’.

“The pop-up dinner took place in a futuristic-looking plain white event space called Ice Tank in Soho, which felt more seedy nightclub than Asian eating house,” she wrote.

“Or, perhaps, that is Ramsay’s vision of a vibrant (nee ‘authentic’) Asian eating house,” she continued.

“I was the only east Asian person in a room full of 30-40 journalists and chefs,” she added.

So what? Now you can’t cook or enjoy authentic Asian food unless you’re Asian? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.

However Ramsay took exception at social media messages allegedly sent by Ms Hui in which she targeted the partner of executive chef Ben Orpwood, calling her a ‘token Asian wife’.

Dude. THAT’S offensive. How dare she.

“Despite the very positive feedback from guests, there was, regrettably, one offensive response from the night which I have to call out,” Ramsay shot back.

“The slew of derogatory and offensive social media posts that appeared on Angela Hui’s social channels, were not professional,” he continued.

“It is fine to not like my food, but prejudice and insults are not welcome, and Ms Hui’s comments around my Executive Chef and his wife, calling her a ‘token Asian wife’, were personal and hugely disrespectful,” he added.

Here’s his full rebuttal:

 

 

 

 

 

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This week Gordon Ramsay Restaurants hosted a preview night for our new concept Lucky Cat, an Asian Eating House, set to launch in the heart of Mayfair. It was a warm, buzzing and brilliant night to celebrate what has been a long-time vision for me. Despite the very positive feedback from guests, there was, regrettably, one offensive response from the night which I have to call out. In the 21 years that I have been running restaurants I have had my fair share of reviews – good and bad. Critics and reviewers have an important job to do, and it’s important that they are independent and have freedom of speech. However, the slew of derogatory and offensive social media posts that appeared on Angela Hui’s social channels, were not professional. It is fine to not like my food, but prejudice and insults are not welcome, and Ms Hui’s comments around my Executive Chef and his wife, calling her a “token Asian wife”, were personal and hugely disrespectful. Gordon Ramsay Restaurants do not discriminate based on gender, race or beliefs and we don’t expect anyone else to. I may not agree with all reviews, but if someone is going to be critical, then I expect them to be professional and have some integrity.

A post shared by Gordon Ramsay (@gordongram) on Apr 12, 2019 at 9:32am PDT

He had every right to slap her back. Her critique was unprofessional and ridiculous. Gordon Ramsay is a top chef and employs the best of the best. Who cares if you don’t share the same cultural background of the food you’re preparing? Can you imagine if we actually lived that way? I’d only be allowed to make poutine, pierogis and corned beef and cabbage.

Ramsay’s right. The food writer is wrong and ridiculous. The end.

h/t Daily Mail

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