Top London chef Marcus Wareing has revealed new details about his long-running feud with fellow superstar chef Gordon Ramsay in an explosive new interview.
Speaking to British GQ as part of its regular ‘Out to Lunch’ feature, Wareing spoke about the long history between him and Ramsay and what resulted in their falling out. In the 90s, the chef pair worked together at Ramsay’s legendary restaurant Aubergine, and Wareing was considered by many to be Ramsay’s protégé.
However, the pair had a falling out and the feud continues today, with Wareing shedding some light on the situation. “Listen, you must understand it was me who started it with Gordon,” he told the magazine. “I picked a fight. I no longer wanted to be kept in a corner, moaning and feeling like I had nothing to offer his business. So I spoke up. And, well, it got nasty.”
Gordon Ramsay has several restaurants around the world
At that point, the pair had worked together for around 15 years, heading up the kitchens at Aubergine and later Petrus, the latter of which still operates today. Wareing revealed that since their falling out, he has only spoken to Ramsay on one occasion.
He spoke in detail about the incident to GQ. “[We met] at 10 Downing Street. It was during the London Olympics and some key people from the food industry were there to meet David Cameron.”
At the end of the day, Gordon tries to leave first, then I go, and as they are holding the front door we end up meeting in the long corridor downstairs, just us two, face-to-face, very weird. We pass one another, shake hands, say, ‘Hello,’ and that’s it. No smiles. Surreal, actually.”
The dining room at MARCUS
However, it seems that Wareing does still have some level of respect for Ramsay, in spite of their disagreements. “I know that man. [Aubergine] was a very special space, the hottest kitchen this country has ever produced. Iconic. Ramsay and Aubergine took the London food scene and totally revolutionised it. And that will never be done again. Pretty cool, right?”
You can read Wareing’s full interview in the latest issue of British GQ.
Want to visit a Marcus Wareing restaurant? Read our review of MARCUS at The Berkeley here.