Gordon Ramsay on opening in Manila: ‘It feels bloody amazing… a real blessing!’
Gordon Ramsay has done a lot.
The internationally renowned, multi-Michelin-starred chef captivated foodies and TV audiences in shows like “Kitchen Nightmares,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” and “MasterChef US.” He has restaurants all over the world including the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Korea and Singapore. He runs a foundation with his wife Tana. He’s written many books and cookbooks.
At the heart of it all is his passion for food and his love for cooking. Just look at his bio on Instagram (where he has over 18 million followers): “Just busy creating memories one dish at a time.”
Soon, those memories will be made at Newport World Resorts where Ramsay is opening his Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill in Manila.
Reservations are now open for the restaurant—in fact, it looks like August is all filled up. (So try walking in?) The website (https://www.tablecheck.com/en/gordon-ramsay-bar-and-grill-philippines/reserve/) is now accepting bookings for September and beyond.
In this email interview, Ramsay tells Lifestyle about his new restaurant, what he thinks of Filipino food, and “The Bear.”
How does it feel to be opening Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill in Manila?
Let me tell you, it feels bloody amazing! The Philippines is such an exciting, multicultural foodie hotspot out there in Southeast Asia, it is a real blessing to be bringing Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill to such a vibrant city like Manila.
What can people expect from the restaurant, and what should first-timers order? Beef Wellington?
I hope diners will enjoy stunning British classic dishes, the best ingredients, be it steaks or seafood. A delicious array of sides and, let me just say, make sure you leave room for dessert! The restaurant interior is beautiful and the bar is going to offer a great selection of beers, wines and inspired cocktails! Definitely order the Beef Wellington, it really is a show stopper with perfectly crisp pastry, a delicious duxelles, and melt-in-the-mouth beef filet. Always best served with a buttery soft pommes purée, there is nothing like it!
Will we be seeing you at the opening?
I can’t wait to visit very soon!
We watched you enjoy a Filipino-inspired adobo burger on “Good Morning America” and we’re curious—have you tried more Filipino food since? What do you think about it?
Filipino food is absolutely delicious and a cuisine I have tasted all around the world. I love the melting pot of influences and flavors that you find in Filipino food not just from Southeast Asia but also the diversity that comes in from the Spanish food cultures too. A sinigang soup is incredibly flavorsome, that perfect balance of savory, salty and sour with local fish or seafood, delicious!
Do you watch “The Bear”? What are your thoughts on it?
I have watched it and I think myself, like many chefs, can relate to many moments the show captures. The Kitchen that Carmy builds in series 2 is the kitchen that all chefs would dream to have!
So sorry to hear about your cycling accident. We thought it was great that your response was to remind everyone about the importance of wearing helmets. That bruise looked awful though—have you recovered fully and are you back to cycling?
Thank you, it was quite the fall, and thank goodness I had an amazing helmet that probably saved my life! I’m currently in LA and have been enjoying getting back out on my bike. There are some beautiful rides here along the coast. It’s taken a while to get my strength and fitness back after the fall, but I’m getting there.
You’ve accomplished so much—Michelin-starred restaurants, great TV shows, awards, bestselling books and more—but what are you proudest of?
The accolades are lovely and the Michelin stars mean so much to me and the teams who work so hard. But honestly, it’s the family. Always the family. Tana and the children are everything. My amazing kids are an inspiration every day and I’m so proud of them all.
You’re known for making delicious food—but what do you like to eat? What are your recent favorites?
Honestly, I would fill pages of all the amazing food I have had recently. I have just returned from a fishing trip with my best friends to Iceland. The food there is just incredible, the freshest fish, uncomplicated, simply served. Man, it was amazing!
We’ve seen you help young and aspiring chefs in your shows and even on Reddit, offering to send them to school, give them work experience, sending them knives—is this something you do all the time? Why is it important to you?
For me now, mentoring the next generation is a huge drive in my life. Supporting young chefs and those that come from a difficult or disadvantaged background is important. I love my industry and it needs talented, passionate individuals to keep it growing and thriving. If I can inspire and support, I feel that is now my role to fulfill. We have our first Gordon Ramsay culinary academy just outside London, the second will be part of a hugely ambitious project in central London early next year, and we are also in conversation with international partners to grow the academy outside of the UK, to hopefully inspire and educate more culinary talent around the world.
Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill is at 2F Grand Wing, Newport Boulevard, Newport World Resorts in Pasay. Visit https://www.newportworldresorts.com/grbg.
