‘He’s glamourising bullying’: Chefs and food critics slam Gordon Ramsay’s infamous angry rants as ‘abuse’ – and say the culture of being aggressive in the kitchen has to end

Shouting and screaming at incompetent cooks may be what Gordon Ramsay is best known for but now those who work in the food industry are calling for an end to the renowned chef’s style of ‘bullying’ in professional kitchens.

Critics, chefs and viewers have all slammed the way the notorious Michelin-starred restaurateur rants at cooks on TV shows such as Hell’s Kitchen after Channel 4 tweeted a highlights reel video featuring Ramsay’s best meltdowns this week.

Food experts responded to the clip to argue that Ramsay’s aggressive style is symptomatic of an ‘abusive’ restaurant kitchen culture that has permeated in the industry over the last few decades – and said that it is now outdated.

Gordon Ramsay is known for his aggressive style of criticising chefs who he believes haven’t done a good job – but some say there’s no place for this in restaurant kitchens anymore.

Food critic Jay Rayner and chef Stevie Parle, who owns three British restaurants, were among those to respond to Channel 4’s clip to criticise Ramsay’s style of harshly attacking anyone who disappoints him on camera.

Jay Rayner called Ramsay a ‘sad, inadequate man’ for the way in which he rants at other chefs.

He tweeted: ‘This is everything that has been wrong about restaurant kitchen culture.

‘Because he suffered violence and abuse as a young cook, Ramsay thinks it’s character building and so the cycle continues. All he’s doing is glamourising bullying.’

This clip of Ramsay’s best meltdowns which was tweeted by Channel 4’s Twitter account sparked a furious debate online about restaurant culture.

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Food critic Jay Rayner kicked off the discussion by calling Gordon Ramsay a ‘sad, inadequate man’ for the way he treats other chefs on TV shows such as Hell’s Kitchen.

Now a debate is raging on social media about Ramsay’s style of aggression, first reported by Munchies – with many working in the industry saying it is already being phased out in restaurant kitchens.

Some pointed to chefs who have rules against abuse in their kitchens to back up their argument.

But others said that Ramsay’s style of criticising chefs by shouting at them is still commonplace and puts chefs off from working in the industry.

Simon Parle tweeted: ‘Glamourising this type of bull**** really sets us back. No wonder we can’t find any chefs.’

However there are some chefs who are trying to change the culture of aggression in restaurant kitchens.

Dominique Ansel, who owns bakeries in New York and London and invented the Cronut, has banned swearing in his kitchens.

Mr Ansel explained to Food&Drink why he has put this rule into practice in his kitchens.

He said: ‘It’s counterproductive and unprofessional, and will lead to negativity and intimidation. The substance of what you say should be enough to prove your point, without adding on swear words or disrespect.’

However Mr Ansel also explained that he believes kitchen culture is changing.

He added: ‘For the most part, we’ve witnessed really great kitchen cultures from our chef friends in the industry. There are many chefs out there that understand the need to treat people with respect.’

Meanwhile Trevor Gulliver, the co-founder of London restaurant group, St. John, has a policy of calm and respectfulness at his restaurants.

Gordon Ramsay has been contacted for comment.