Gordon Ramsay, OBE, is a British chef, television personality and restaurateur. Perhaps best known for his fiery temper and "colourful" language, Gordon is never far from controversy.

Gordon Ramsay, OBE, is a British chef, television personality and restaurateur. Perhaps best known for his fiery temper and "colourful" language, Gordon is never far from controversy.

Scottish by birth, Gordon was brought up in England after his parents moved south to Stratford-upon-Avon. His first career break came whilst playing football for Oxford United where he was spotted by a Glasgow Rangers scout in a F.A. youth club match. After completing trials he was signed by the Scottish champions at the age of 15. Three years later he had given up professional football and gone back to college to complete an HND course in hotel management.

Gordon moved to London where he joined Marco Pierre White in the early days of Harvey's in Wandsworth. After a couple of years Gordon moved to Le Gavroche to work alongside Albert Roux. This was followed by three years of working in France in the kitchens of Guy Savoy and Joel Robuchon. A hugely successful career in the restaurant industry followed. From Aubergine to Gordon Ramsey, to Maze, Gordon has enjoyed critical acclaim for all of his restaurant endeavours including several Michelin stars and The Chef of the Year Award in June 2000. In July 2005 Gordon opened his first restaurant in Japan at The Conrad Tokyo, the city's newest luxury hotel with Andrew Cook leading the kitchen brigade. In November 2008 Gordon made his stateside debut with the opening of Gordon Ramsay at The London. The restaurant, located at 151 West 54th in The London NYC Hotel (formerly the Rihga Royal), is part of the LXR Luxury Resorts collection.

As well as an impressive restaurant empire, Gordon has extensive consultancy agreements with a number of blue chip companies including Singapore Airlines, Booker Cash and Carry Limited and Aramark Limited.

At the beginning of October 2002 Gordon Ramsay Holdings Limited took over the whole of the food and beverage operation at The Connaught Hotel with Angela Hartnett at the helm.

Gordon launched his television career in May 2004 with the Channel 4 series Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares. The four part series was awarded a BAFTA and led to the development of the ITV reality show, Hell's Kitchen. 2005 confirmed Gordon as one of the UK's major television talents. A second series of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares was followed by the very successful US version of Hell's Kitchen for Fox TV. November brought the debut of Channel 4's The F-Word, a high-octane food show with cooking, topical VT's, food campaigns and celebrity guests.

In October 2006 Gordon's autobiography, Humble Pie was published by Harper Collins. The book, which details an honest account of his life in and out of the kitchen, has topped many of the best seller charts. 2006 also saw Gordon awarded an OBE for services to the hospitality industry.

In 2009 Gordon continued to expand his empire by launching restaurants in both Tuscany and Sardinia.