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Sex claims will boost Ramsay's business, say London chefs
Benedict Moore-Bridger27.11.08
ALLEGATIONS that Gordon Ramsay conducted a seven-year affair will boost bookings at his restaurants, according to leading London chefs.
Ramsay has refused to answer claims that he slept with "professional mistress" Sarah Symonds, the author of a handbook for women in adulterous relationships and a former lover of Jeffrey Archer.
Commentators have speculated that accusations that the pair had sex last week in the Marriott hotel adjoining Ramsay's Maze restaurant would damage his multi-million-pound empire. But colleagues have leapt to his defence, saying the 42-year-old's business will probably benefit in the long run from the publicity.
Jean-Christophe Ansanay-Alex, the two Michelin-starred chef who runs the L'Auberge de l'Ile in Lyons and recently opened a £2.2 million dining room in Old Brompton Road, said Ramsay would not be hurt by the headlines.
He said: "Ramsay makes money because of the brand. This will boost him. It is publicity. Gordon is still here. All his businesses are going very well already, and this may do him good." Mr Ansanay-Alex was speaking at the Francais of the Year awards, which celebrate the most talented members of London's 300,000-strong French community.
Sketch chef patron Pierre Gagnaire, whose three Michelin-starred restaurant in France has been voted the third best in the world, was chosen as the ex-pat community's favourite chef. He said of the Ramsay allegations: "It would never happen in France. In France, we respect privacy, but here it is a game. It is good for journalists, and good for him, but it is not the French way," adding: "I love my wife."
Other winners last night included designer Nicole Farhi, who won the Entrepreneur award, Arsene Wenger for sport, Connaught head chef Helene Darroze for Rising Star, and former Bond Girl Eva Green in the "Talent" category.
Ms Farhi said: "I am absolutely delighted. I love London - it is a wonderful place to live and work."
Organiser Laurent Feniou said almost 4,000 people had voted. He said: "In a period of economic uncertainty I am very happy to celebrate the dynamism and multiculturalism of London."
Reader views (16)
Can never understand the fuss of paying an arm and a leg for a meal that is not cooked by the person whose name the restaurant is supposedly famous for. Maybe if I knew they were definitely doing the cooking then i might think about eating there.
- Cam Berwick-Green, Chigley England
unfortunately if he is capable of deceiving his wife and children he is not to be trusted. You can lock up a thief but there is little you can do with a liar.
- Jim, Auckland, New Zealand.
Why not? Has he spat in the food! What someone does in their personal life has nothing to do with the public. He's one of the top chef's in the world and thats what matters. If any other fact about him should bother you you should really grow up and get a life.
- Mr M, SYDNEY
I guess raspberry tart is of the menu.
- Martin, London
"have leapt to his defence, saying the 42-year-old's business will probably benefit in the long run from the publicity."
Such a statement does not "defend" Ramsay - it simply recognizes that the outcome might not harm him financially. To leap to Ramsay's defense would be to defend him against the onslaught of allegations, etc i.e. "He is innocent" or "You don't know the whole story."
- Trunk, US
I'm more upset that he asked his "whore" to get "a couple of bottles of wine and some crisps." He could have at least asked for some good cheese and wine.
- Alan, Brighton
He is so foul mouthed and arrogant
- Jaberwokie3, switzerland
Are Ramsay's female partners forced to listen to him incessantly spouting his favourite F word while indulging in sexual activity or does he use kitchen vocabulary in bed.
- M Wilkinson, London UK
Do have to question his taste.
- P.Doff, angers france
i cannot stand eating in overpriced snobbish restaurants like ramsays.its much more fun having a few pints in a pub followed by a nice hot takeaway curry lovely
- Oliver, CHELSEA
Sharon from London. The Ramsays's may well hold strong but life will NEVER be the same for Tana....how can she ever trust him? It's not like it was a one night stand!!
- Christina, Bedford
It does not surprise me that Gordon has got support from the French, they take a much more casual stance on infidelity, as they do with personal hygiene and collaboration with occupying forces.
- Keith, Kings Cross, London, UK
Interesting you should ask the French- who have a cultural bias towards 3 people in a marriage.
Perhaps you should have asked some English chefs what they thought these allegations would do to his business.
I for one will never darken his doorsteps again! He is a cad!
- J, London
I'm not sure I'd go to a restaurant just because the owner has been sleeping around. Similarly, I wouldn't boycott one for the same reason.
- Matthew, London
The Ramseys will hold strong and Sarah Symonds will slip back into obscurity where she belongs. She clearly didn't do enough homework and picked the wrong man to launch her tv career.
- Sharon, London
All I can say is that I hope he washed his hands before he went back into his kitchen...
- Paul, London
