Do you remember Hell’s Kitchen? No, not the US version, which has run for 20 years. I’m talking about the UK original from 2004 back when Gordon Ramsay was still a regular fixture over here and Angela Hartnett remained his plain-speaking protégé. And when celebrities were invited into the kitchen to cook and cause mischief. Now it is reportedly set to make a comeback.
Twenty-odd years ago, Ramsay was far from the polished, courteous businessman he is today. In those days every other word was “f**k” and tempers flared. I remember one episode in which the comedian known as Vic Reeves, most likely inebriated, ordered “two fried eggs on a china plate” while dining in the Ramsay branded restaurant. It prompted the chef to fly into one of his notorious rages. He later apologised but Reeves never did get his wish.
