THE EARLY DAYS Scottish by birth, UK chef Gordon Ramsay was brought up in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, and initially aspired to be a professional footballer. However, when an injury prematurely put an end to any hopes of a promising career on the pitch, Ramsay went back to college to complete a course in hotel management. His dedication and natural talent led him to train with some of the world’s leading chefs, including Albert Roux and Marco Pierre White in London, and Guy Savoy and Joël Robuchon in France. MICHELIN-STARRED RESTAURANTS In 1993, Ramsay became head chef of Aubergine in London, and within three years Aubergine was awarded two Michelin stars. At the age of 35, Ramsay branched out on his own to set up his first wholly-owned and namesake restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. Restaurant Gordon Ramsay opened in 1998, and quickly received the most prestigious accolade in the culinary world – three Michelin stars. Today, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay is London’s longest-running restaurant to hold this award, and Ramsay is one of only four chefs in the UK to maintain three stars. Gordon also holds a Michelin star at his other London restaurant Pétrus in Knightsbridge. In addition to his stars in the UK, Gordon holds two stars at Le Pressoir d'Argent in Bordeaux and one star at Gordon Ramsay au Trianon in Versailles.