HAVE YOU EVER MET GORDON RAMSAY?

It usually starts with a sub par impression of a British accent, “Have you ev-AH met Gour-DON RAHM-say?” As a grin spreads across my face, I explain “no” in my subtle Maryland accent. Throughout grade school, I was always known as the girl that went on a culinary cooking show, specifically, Chopped Jr – where four children contestants are given mystery basket ingredients and have to make a cohesive appetizer, entree and dessert. Since elementary school, classmates and friends would express their curiosity and usually ask me about Gordon Ramsay. Now, I see the fascination with Mr. Ramsay, don’t get me wrong! He has a laundry list of hot takes on culinary dishes, impeccable precision, and a short fuse. Generally, his aggressive personality is contagious. 

 

DISAPPOINTMENT → GENUINE CONVERSATION

Unfortunately, I did not meet him on the show. After the initial disappointment, this interaction almost always sparks a genuine conversation. People have talked to me about their cooking experiences, love for culinary competition shows and favorite dishes to make. I love how this allows me to meet new people, talk about food and spark connections without me even having to start a conversation. This frequently asked question has shaped my identity since the young age of eleven. 

 

CHILDHOOD INSPIRED BY RAMSAY

Eyes glued to the television screen, I would watch professional chefs like Ina Garten, Giada De Laurentiis and of course, Gordon Ramsay every day after elementary school. My mom, like any mom would, was concerned about my television and screen intake and gave me an ultimatum – if you are going to watch so much television, at least learn to cook! 

 

I stepped in the kitchen and immediately felt safe – pots clanging, onions sweating, bacon searing, oven preheating, timer ticking, cooking journey beginning. From sweet and spicy slow roasted adobe pork carnitas to briny kalamata olive and pistachio roasted eggplant, every day was a beautiful experiment. One day I mindlessly scrolled on the Internet to see if Chopped Jr. was casting and they were. I submitted an application with zero expectations, just iPhone photos of my signature dish, prosciutto and mozzarella pizza, and low quality videos of me grilling assorted vegetables. I was shocked when they called me the summer before my fifth grade, almost too afraid to go. Despite my anxiety, I embarked to New York to experience something that would change my life forever.

 

I am so beyond grateful for this experience and I will cherish it for the rest of my life. It has helped me socially make friendships and also professionally through gaining an internship and networking opportunities. I learned the importance of work ethic and creativity from a young age. I also experienced pressure, stress and problem solving. Whenever I do anything now I think to myself, what would the eleven year old me do? What would the girl who was unafraid do? 

 

MISUNDERSTOOD LIKE RAMSAY

Despite this, sometimes I do feel misunderstood when asked this question and feel as if I am being put in a confined box. I feel like the way others perceive me is stuck as a fifth grader.  Yes, I love cooking and food is a major part of my life and identity. No, I have not met Gordon Ramsay, as he is the host of Masterchef, another popular culinary competition show. But also, there is so much more to my identity than just one experience in fifth grade. I am an older sister, daughter, protective friend, artist, entrepreneur, athlete and business student. I am multifaceted and have many unrelated interests that I want to pursue. Sometimes I wish that people would ask me about these other interests or I wish that I would not just be labeled as the “girl who cooks.” I feel like throughout high school people were constantly labeled, even more so people were constantly mislabeled. There was the stereotypical popular group, athletes, and nerds. In reality, most people were in a gray area of multiple instead of being fixed in one.

 

Gordon Ramsay too is someone who is mislabeled. He is perceived by others as this harsh chef who is unafraid to speak his mind. But is that really a bad thing? Shouldn’t we all be a little more fearless and speak our minds and truths? Yes, making amateur chefs cry is not the best reflection on his character, but he too is a father, son, and deep down compassionate human being. He is also a dream chaser and technical culinary magician, creating innovative recipes and pushing the boundaries of the industry. 

 

MEETING RAMSAY IN THE FUTURE

Now that I am in college, I think there is more of an opportunity for me to be both the girl that loves to cook while also exploring these other aspects of life. No one here has grown up with me since kindergarten and no one knows what makes me who I am today. It is my journey to unpack that and find who I really am. I want to be more like the eleven year old me and be unafraid to take risks. I also want to channel my inner Gordon Ramsay and have his ferociousness and passion in the culinary industry, possibly pursuing a culinary school degree in the future. Hear me out, if the opportunity ever arises I would love to meet Gordon Ramsay and cook with him – I hope my answer to this question changes. Of course, until he roasts my beef wellington making skills.