(Image: Dave Pullig)
Torontonians have never had trouble finding reasons to envy Montrealers: cheaper rents, ubiquitous perfect croissants, cold beer at corner stores. In 2010, we added “having your very own Gordon Ramsay restaurant” to the list, when the perpetually potty-mouthed chef announced he was getting on board with Montreal restaurant Laurier BBQ. Sure, our envy was mitigated when the opening of the restaurant was marred by a fire alarm. Now we learn that Laurier owner Danny Lavy has ended his business relationship with Ramsay, who he says acted more like an infrequent visitor than the consultant he was supposed to be (the Gazette says Ramsay originally wanted to be a partner, but he didn’t want to front the cash). Ramsay’s public relations people deny this, and say that “lawyers…will be watching all comment made publicly extremely carefully.” Lavy also said that despite Ramsay’s role as a consultant—and the fact that he was almost never in town—his team still acted like he owned the place. Two restaurateurs trading barbs and quarreling over operations? This sounds like a job for… oh, nevermind. Read the entire story [Montreal Gazette] »
Who’s jealous? Is Ramsay even a chef anymore? Thanks to all his TVs shows, he’s reduced himself to a caricature of an ornery Brit. Sadly, he’s better known for being foul-mouthed than for being a world-class chef.
February 17, 2012 at 4:05 pm | by Chrisdid not need Ramsay chichen anyway ,,,SWISS CHALET IS BEST ,,
February 18, 2012 at 7:49 pm | by brian5427There are many food-related envy when it comes to Montreal. But trust a foodie here: Gordon Ramsay is most definitely NOT one of them. No self-resepcting culinary enthusiast gushes over anything about Ramsay. After having to close down his Melbourne restaurants and leaving his creditors with $4 million in the hole, perhaps he would be better off putting himself on one of his fix-it shows and scream in the mirror for a change.
February 21, 2012 at 11:59 am | by ah123