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Life according to… Celebrity Chef: Gordon Ramsay

© Tony WardGordon Ramsey.
Gordon Ramsey.

The celebrity chef on his new TV adventure, the search for Santa and his top tip for avoiding that festive kitchen nightmare.

You and your buddies Gino D’Acampo and Fred Sirieix’s filmed a road trip across Lapland for your Christmas special. What can we expect?

What a year, who would have known the rollercoaster we were going to ride in 2020! Christmas is absolutely the time to try to forget the dark moments and focus on festive cheer, which is exactly what we did when we went to Lapland. What’s not to love about three grown men going in search of Father Christmas!?

Last year you went to Morocco together. How did you feel about getting back on the road with the other guys?

I could not wait to see Gino and Fred again, they are like my crazy Euro Italian and French brothers, hanging out with them is literally one of the highlights of my year!

Have you all stayed in touch during lockdown?

Of Course, Gino always FaceTimes me for cooking tips and help in the kitchen and Fred has been like Mr Google planning our trip sending me endless pictures of Rudolph!

Which one of you would win in a snowmobile race?

Clearly me! I’m by far the better driver. Gino will be a disaster. I cannot see how he will even know how to steer in the snow (let’s not forget he lost control on the race track in Texas?) and Grandma Fred will go so slowly she might as well walk through the snow!

Who would look best in a Santa suit and why?

I think Fred. He would definitely look the part and get properly into character Ho Ho Ho’ing!

What do you know about the local food and drink in Finland?

I’m interested to know more about the Sami people, the last remaining indigenous people in Europe and seeing how they survive the harsh winters, curing and pickling and see the different ways they use reindeer meat throughout the year.

Christmas will obviously be a bit different for us all this year, but how are you hoping to celebrate?

Family time all together. Hopefully restrictions will be eased as we are already a family of seven so it will be fingers crossed that we can see friends and family. It will be a time for giving thanks that we are all happy and healthy at the end of such a crazy year.

What gifts would you buy the other two guys for Christmas?

One each of my cookbooks so they can learn how to cook!

What are your favourite things to eat and drink at Christmas?

For me preparation is key. Get what you can done ahead of time, so you don’t spend all your time in the kitchen. And get help, it should be a team effort!

Finally, any Christmas message?

I want to wish everyone a Happy Christmas, at the end of a bloody difficult year. Here’s hoping 2021 is a better year for us all.


Gordon, Gino and Fred: Desperately Seeking Santa, ITV, Wednesday, 9pm