Gordon Ramsay: On Top of the World

by Neil Simpson

Best known as the host of Fox's Hell's Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares, Gordon Ramsay is one of the most driven, successful, and irate chefs around. He has thrown Hollywood actresses out of his restaurants and is notorious for his anger, but his food has been served to numerous heads of state, and he is one of only three chefs in England whose restaurant is rated at three Michelin stars. In this illuminating work, Ramsay discusses the violent, alcoholic, absent father who died just days after the pair had been reconciled as adults; the best friend and protégé whose bizarre suicide came hours after the two had shared a final meal; the decade-long battle to save his younger brother from heroin addiction and crime; and the real reason why he has not attended the birth of any of his four children. Sometimes hilarious and frequently heartbreaking, this is Gordon Ramsay€™s full life, from tenements and poverty to top-notch resta

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Food

308 pages, Paperback

First published February 2, 2009

Reviews

[Benjamin Stahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I would have liked more insight into his cooking career (don't get me wrong, there was plenty - just not enough!) even if it meant less on his drug-addict brother and so many celebrity squabbles, this was still a fun and entertaining read, with many interesting things I did not know about the great chef I find terrifying but even more admirable.

With my newborn child doing his best to keep me occupied most of the time that I'm home, I usually don't get an opportunity to make dinner until long after mummy and the boys are in bed. So, with my late-night eating, I have been watching Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen, a show I never thought much of before actually giving it a chance, as I thought it was only Gordon screaming his head off and bullying inept staff. While the same could largely be said for Kitchen Nightmares as well, I always thought the latter had a much more constructive point to it, and therefore was more wholesome and uplifting in the end. Needless to say, after finally watching a few episodes of Hell's Kitchen, I was hooked.

Therefore, this book was a very fun and satisfying read, even if it was not the greatest biography in the world.

[John Stinebaugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This read very much like a collection of celebrity gossip columns. Not a style that I found appealing.

[Eva Bradshaw-Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book because I am Gordon Ramsay fan. Despite the critical review of the book I thought it was well written. I do wish that the author had also gone further with the book and included the scandal that went on when money was embezzled by his father in law and brother-in-law. I realise that many people think that Gordon's use of the F*** word constantly is put on to get attention. But having lived in Scotland, in an area quite similar, and not all that far from where he was raised, I know that this is a word that is commonly used and not having used it would've been exceptional. Gordon's need for his father's approval, which he never got, is most obviously the driving force that makes his need for "perfection" very evident. I have probably learned more watching Gordon Ramsay working then I did when I took my certification in cooking and my externships in restaurants. While I love this book for all of the details you are given about Gordon Ramsay's life, I feel that Humble Pie, as an audiobook, read by Ramsay himself, gave more insights into what has made him the chef, businessman and father that he is today.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book I've read on Gordon Ramsay, but not what I was looking for. The writer quoted Gordon a few times, but then presented a lot of information "informatively", but was it factually? Pretty "safe" book. I thought most of the story of his childhood heartbreaking, so appreciate where he came from and where he is today. As well, his charitable work must be humbling. It does appear that when there have been disagreements with the "community", he can apologize. Would have still preferred a book written by the author, and right now, the last chef's memoir I read was so outstanding, few will be able to compare.

[Oralee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this look into the life of one of the most recognised chefs of the world. It was interesting to read this and then his autobiography and see that his own ideals of himself are not that different than Mr. Simpson's. The Media has built Gordon Ramsey up to be a larger than life character and capitalized on his not so good qualities for viewers and moneys but after reading the 2 books on him you get a much more realistic view of an incredible person.

[Kristal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Because I like Gordon.

I enjoyed this book because I like Gordon Ramsay. I'm a fan of his charisma, his energy, the heart he puts into his projects and of course the sailor mouth he has. So naturally I enjoy learning more about him but there were times at the beginning of the book that it felt a little chaotic and hard to follow but seemed to come together at the end.

[Rip Washington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on reviews I've read this was supposed to be a poorly written book. I purchased it anyway because I enjoy Kitchen Nightmares and Hell's Kitchen. I'm delighted to say that this bio was equally entertaining. What a fascinating person Gordon Ramsey turns out to be!

[Nabela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice insight into what makes this man tick. I would like to find a book that's more from Gordon's perspective than someone writing about him. Didn't know all those details about his childhood years, but it helps explain why he's so intense and loves what he does.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book, you will learn a lot about this passionate man who has worked so hard to get to where he is.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book with a lot of insight into the world of Gordon Ramsay; if you have seen his television shows and want to know more about the man behind them - I highly recommend you read this book.

[Joe Valenti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. The language is a bit over the top, but I suppose that comes with the territory. It is amazing to hear about all of the struggles that Ramsay has come through to be where he is today.

[Todd Budnikas]

Quite a bit more in depth than the first Ramsay book I read and covering his life up until more recent times. Such an interesting guy and made me even more of a fan.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed learning more about Gordon Ramsay, where he came from, what's behind all that personality I enjoy seeing when he's on TV.

[Jonathan Ng · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an absolutely amazingly detailed telling of the life of one of the greatest chefs of our time. Gordon Ramsay has an infamous reputation as a man who doesn’t care who you are, but only cares about the standard of the food he is serving. He has the experience to back up his tough talk, as he began just like any other chef, working his way up slowly but surely. Soon he had three Michelin stars, and has now become one of the most recognizable faces in the culinary world. The book explains his numerous tv shows, most notably Hell’s Kitchen, and Kitchen Nightmares. Some of the stuff he says is just comedy in itself, and the book explains his life to the fullest. I truly enjoyed this wonderful biography and I strongly recommend this book to anyone who has a certain curiosity about this celebrated man.

[Theta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I borrowed this audiobook from BorrowBox, thanks to my local library.
This was an interesting book in the respect that it tells you things about Gordon Ramsay that you probably didn't know, and it shows you a different side to him.

It was good that I chose to listen to this book as I do tend to struggle physically reading books like memoirs and biographies. This book has really shown me to never judge a book by its cover, as you don't know what things somebody could be battling and what is going on in their personal and private life. Also, don't believe everything you read in the papers and online.

I did enjoy this book, learning some new things about Ramsay.

[Dušan Lóci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Túto knihu som kúpil z dvoch dôvodov. Mám rád Gordona Ramseyho a kniha bola vo veľkej zľave. Samotná kniha je podľa mňa čistý priemer čo sa ľahko číta. Nedozviete sa vlastne nič nové, lebo sú tam hlavne siahodlho opisované jeho Relácie. A všeobecne informácie. Cele je to taký chválospev na Gordona Ramseyho.... slabšie 3*

[Jlo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want more personal stories of Gordon, not his shows. The book wasted pages about dialogue of people involved in his TV shows. Might as well watched the show instead of reading it. Make a biography worth the thrill!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty interesting life story. Still not a fan of his antics though.

[Oksana Fore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! Gordon is truly authentic and takes no crap from anyone. 👍🏻

[Gregp · Rating 4 out of 5]

7 out of 10

[Radu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Using his language, he is a f*****g interesting character. The biography is following his climb from Glasgow suburbs to worldwide renown chef. The book is a subjective from my perspective, presenting him in a pinkish light. A more critical one, covering also the media superstar years, would be worthier to read ..