Marco Pierre White has revealed that he only agreed to appear in a new BBC documentary alongside former protégé Gordon Ramsay after Ramsay agreed to drop Jamie Oliver from the project. White initially turned down the offer before changing his mind during a second conversation.
The 64-year-old chef, one of Britain's most celebrated culinary figures, has had a turbulent relationship with Ramsay, who once worked under him. The pair are now revisiting their history in The Rise of the Rockstar Chef, which also features fellow three-Michelin-star chef Heston Blumenthal.
Ramsay's Negotiation
Speaking to The Times, White explained that Ramsay personally approached him about the documentary, which was made by Ramsay's production company. "Gordon called and asked me to be involved. I listened, then said, 'No,'" White said.
However, a second call changed his mind. "He called me back the next day and said, 'If we get rid of Jamie Oliver, will you do it?' And I said, 'Yes,'" White revealed.
Asked why he was reluctant to appear alongside Oliver, White acknowledged the television chef's success but questioned his standing in fine dining. "I understand why you'd want Jamie. He's very good at what he does. But how many Michelin stars did he win?" he said. After being reminded that Oliver had not won any, White added: "How many did Heston and Gordon win? How many did I win?"
When the answer of three stars apiece was confirmed, White said: "Correct. Jamie has no stars. He belongs to a different jigsaw."
A History of Conflict
White's relationship with Ramsay dates back to the late 1980s, when Ramsay worked at Harveys, White's London restaurant, for three years. The establishment earned two Michelin stars, while Restaurant Marco Pierre later secured another. Their working relationship ended in 1989, with Ramsay previously recalling how he broke down in tears during his final service under White. "I bawled my eyes out," Ramsay has said. "I was f***ing upset." White's assessment was blunt: "That's true. Gordon cracked."
White said the real reason they stopped speaking for years was Ramsay bringing television cameras to his wedding to Mati Conejero in 2000. "Gordon bringing TV cameras to my wedding — that's why I didn't speak to him for years. Would you be happy if I brought a camera crew to your wedding? Why bring it up? Let sleeping dogs lie. Not clever," he said.
White also rejected suggestions that their rivalry was simply entertainment for the cameras. "It's manufactured drama. I don't do manufactured drama," he said.
Documentary Details
The new series revisits the pair's history, including claims surrounding a missing reservations book at Ramsay's restaurant Aubergine, which Ramsay later admitted he had staged himself. Asked about stories concerning his rebellious past, White offered a brief explanation: "Most interesting boys are naughty."
The Rise of the Rockstar Chef begins on November 5 at 9pm on BBC2.
