Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has candidly revealed the unconventional beginnings of his romance with his wife Tana, describing how he secretly pined for her while she was initially in a relationship with one of his close friends. The revelations come from the new Netflix documentary, Being Gordon Ramsay, which offers an intimate look into the chef's personal life and career.
A Fateful First Meeting
Ramsay, who married Tana in 1996 after meeting in the early 1990s, recounted the moment they first crossed paths. "The first time I met Tana, I was mates with her boyfriend at the time, and they picked me up," he explained in the documentary. "I was with my girlfriend from Paris to come to our mate's wedding. And Tana was driving the car, and I was sat in the backseat and I'm looking at my mate thinking, 'Oh my God, your girlfriend is f***ing gorgeous.'"
He added that Tana bore a striking resemblance to a young Julia Roberts and brought an unparalleled level of excitement. However, Ramsay humorously noted that the feeling might not have been mutual initially, saying, "I'm not too sure if that's what Tana said when she first met me but I get the feeling that she wasn't a big fan."
From Irritation to Attraction
Tana, a broadcaster and former educator, confirmed Ramsay's suspicions in the documentary, admitting that he "irritated" her at first. "I didn't like him. I thought he was really arrogant, really full of himself. He used to really irritate me," she said. "It took about a month and then we were both single."
Ramsay, reflecting on his humble beginnings, shared his doubts about winning her over. "She knew I didn't have a pot to piss in and so I honestly thought for many months that Tana was out of my league," he confessed.
Winning Her Over with Culinary Skills
Despite the rocky start, the Kitchen Nightmares star eventually "won her over" thanks to his culinary prowess. Tana recalled, "We ended up sort of chatting one night and chatted all night. I guess I must have fancied him." Ramsay joked about the turning point, stating, "I won her over with food, thank f***."
Other Highlights from the Documentary
The documentary also delves into other significant moments from Ramsay's life, including the infamous October 1998 incident where he ejected food critic AA Gill from his Chelsea restaurant, The Gordon Ramsay, after a scathing review. Gill had described Ramsay as "a failed sportsman who acts like an 11-year-old," prompting the chef to order him out when he arrived to dine with Dame Joan Collins.
Additionally, Being Gordon Ramsay explores the chef's private life with Tana and their six children, as well as his ambitious efforts to create five new dining concepts inside London's landmark 22 Bishopsgate. The documentary provides a comprehensive look at both his professional ventures and personal relationships.
Being Gordon Ramsay is set to stream on Netflix from 18 February, offering fans an unprecedented glimpse into the life of one of the world's most renowned chefs.
