Gordon Ramsay says pandemic has wiped out 'crap' restaurants

Gordon Ramsay has said it is good that coronavirus lockdowns have closed “crap” restaurants taking advantage of good locations.

In an interview with the Radio Times, the chef said that while the pandemic had been “devastating” it had “wiped the arrogance from the industry”.

When asked if he was referring to any particular chains, Ramsay said: “Well, just shitholes in a prime position and taking advantage because they’re in a great location, and they’ve got the footfall. But now we’ve wiped the slate clean, which is good.”

The chef added: “Customers have got so much smarter in the last two years. They know a lot more about food than they ever have done and have been making their own sourdough, so [the pandemic has] taught everyone [in the restaurant industry] to raise their game.”

Britain has lost over 8,000 pubs, bars, restaurants and other licensed venues since lockdowns began in March 2020, according to the CGA and AlixPartners Recovery Monitor.

Ramsay was speaking to the Radio Times to promote his new television show Gordon Ramsay’s Future Food Stars, an Apprentice-style programme where 12 entrepreneurs compete for a £150,000 investment from the chef.

The chef’s restaurant business is on a major expansion drive and in 2020 said it plans to open up to 50 new restaurants across the UK.