Gordon Ramsay has officially ended a 16-year feud with fellow celebrity chef Marcus Wareing, and the pair will now collaborate on a new television series for BBC Two. The 59-year-old Kitchen Nightmares star and the 55-year-old chef had been at odds since 2008 over a dispute regarding the lease of the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Pétrus at The Berkeley hotel. The conflict escalated when Wareing, who previously served as Ramsay’s head chef, decided to launch his own independent venture at the same location after Ramsay’s contract expired.
Reunion for a New Culinary Series
Now, after burying the hatchet, the two chefs are planning to work together on a new cooking programme for BBC Daytime. The series, which does not yet have a title, will focus on exploring extraordinary human stories and helping cooks improve by mastering the simplest things. Marcus expressed his enthusiasm, stating, ‘This is a fantastic opportunity to work alongside Gordon again. It’s been many years since we last shared a kitchen, and I can’t wait to get started. I’m really looking forward to unwrapping the memories from our cooks and taking them on a journey down memory lane.’
Gordon shared his thoughts on the series, saying, ‘Every chef knows that food is about more than what’s on the plate. It’s about bringing people together and creating connections. This new format does exactly that. It combines fantastic home cooking with extraordinary human stories and celebrates the kitchen as the heart of every home.’ Referring to their past, the Hell’s Kitchen star added, ‘Marcus and I go back a long way, and I’m delighted that we’re coming together to bring this very special series to BBC Daytime.’
Reflections on the Feud
In 2023, Marcus claimed that the feud with Gordon was ‘the best thing that ever happened to both of us.’ He told the Daily Mail, ‘I wanted to be in his shoes and I can’t be in his shoes — they’re too big. I knew I couldn’t fill them and I think I had another ambition and I had another goal. So I had to try.’ However, during a 2011 interview with Weekend Magazine, he revealed a harsher side of their relationship, stating, ‘Gordon verbally kicked the s*** out of you. Then he would buy you a beer. He put me through mental torture. I’d be first in in the morning, and I’d lock up at night. All day, there’d be Gordon being Gordon. It’s a wonder we all survived.’
Marcus has been a judge on MasterChef: The Professionals since 2014, marking his 12th year on the show. He first joined the programme to replace Michel Roux Jr. alongside co-judges Monica Galetti and Gregg Wallace. The new series with Gordon Ramsay is expected to air on BBC Two, though a premiere date has not yet been announced.
