Blunder Down Under

Is anyone else following Gordon Ramsay’s mega successful Australian restaurant launch? So far he has managed to offend one of Oz’s most popular female television presenters, Tracy Grimshaw, spark national outrage and be called “a new form of low life” by the Australian Prime Minister.

Apparently Ramsay has referred to Grimshaw as a pig, a lesbian and in need of Botox (what, so she could have a face as baby smooth as yours, Gord?). Whilst a guest on her show he commented on Grimshaw’s facial mole, saying , “Is that a wart? It looks like your little sister’s on your lip.” The next day, at a food fair, he also allegedly said of Grimshaw, “We were secret lovers for 20 years,” then added, “No, I didn’t go there…I didn’t stoop that low.”

Ramsay has said he was “only joking”.

Grimshaw has vowed never to interview him on her TV show again.

She also said, “I’m not surprised by any of this. We’ve all seen how he treats his wife – and he supposedly loves her,” in a reference to his alleged seven year affair with Sarah Symonds, author of a ‘How To’ book on being a good mistress – nice.

The most baffling part of this whole sorry aga saga is what Ramsay said next. “For me on a personal front, to see how sad and bitter for someone like that to come out – a renowned pro – to stoop that low and attack my wife is disgusting. It’s obvious she’s done it for ratings.”

Okay, now I must be missing something here. Firstly, Grimshaw was only responding to Ramsay’s own “sad and bitter” attacks on her appearance and sexuality. To say that she is doing this to boost her ratings is ludicrous. Ramsay’s comments on the other hand, were neatly timed to coincide with his restaurant launch.

Secondly, how exactly has Grimshaw “attacked” his wife? Doesn’t it just make you want to vomit, to hear this bully suddenly so concerned for his wife. When the details of his ‘alleged’ affair came out, was Ramsay man enough to publically apologise for the pain and humiliation he had caused his wife?

No, of course not. He carried on making jokes about sleeping around and rubbing her nose in it. Then, when Grimshaw dares to mention this, she is the one ‘attacking’ Tana Ramsay.

Male chefs like Ramsay make me laugh. They are so deeply insecure about the fact that they cook for a living – traditionally a woman’s role – that they have to dress it up with ridiculously macho posturing. In Ramsay’s case developing Tourettes and bashing women at every opportunity. And in Marco Pierre White’s case, dressing like Yasser Arafat and talking to his fellow cooks as if they are about to mount the Charge of the Light Brigade, when all they’re actually about to do is make a souffle.

Get over it boys, we really don’t mind you doing your share in the kitchen!