With a 35-year-long career, Gordon Ramsay continues to shine in the elite world of gastronomy. One of the most influential—and beloved—chefs in the world, he holds twelve Michelin stars, keeps opening restaurants across the globe, and leads numerous initiatives through the Gordon and Tana Ramsay Foundation. Among the most notable is his work supporting Great Ormond Street Hospital, a cornerstone of his philanthropic efforts dedicated to improving children’s lives.
Few know that Ramsay’s beginnings—long before becoming the acclaimed chef and unmistakable face of Hell’s Kitchen—reach back to his childhood dreams. Now a vigorous 58-year-old Scotsman, he once aspired to a future far from pots and pans. His greatest ambition as a boy was to become a professional footballer and wear the jersey of his favorite team, the Glasgow Rangers.
Fate, however, had other plans. A serious knee injury permanently ended his football career, but it also redirected his path toward other remarkable achievements: Michelin stars and life-changing contributions to vulnerable children through funding for Great Ormond Street Hospital, the first hospital in England dedicated to pediatric care.
After rigorous training as a professional chef and long hours in prestigious restaurants within the exclusive international circuit, Ramsay took a bold step. In the autumn of 1998, he opened his own restaurant in London’s distinguished Chelsea district. It became the first of many worldwide, with ventures in Dubai, Japan, and the United States. His most recent, inaugurated in 2008, is located at the Trianon Palace in Versailles, France.
Since then, Ramsay—known as much for his fiery temper as his extraordinary talent—has earned twelve Michelin stars and today ranks as the third chef worldwide in number of Michelin stars, surpassed only by France’s Joël Robuchon (25) and Alain Ducasse (19). In 2006, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire, an honor bestowed by the Crown to individuals making significant social contributions to the nation.
The Gordon and Tana Ramsay Foundation
Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), along with its team of doctors and volunteers, strives to make life a little easier and brighter for the thousands of children treated each year across its various departments and specialties.
This mission depends on financial support that covers both the children’s treatments and the high costs faced by the families who accompany them. Together with a strong and dedicated network of volunteers, healthcare staff, and professionals, the financial contributions of the Gordon and Tana Ramsay Foundation to Great Ormond Street Hospital transform lives. Every child receives the best care possible within their specific condition. The hospital stands as a beacon of hope for children suffering from some of the rarest and most complex diseases, who come seeking treatment.
The foundation’s support is vital, as it funds essential investments in innovative research and also contributes at a national level.
A Permanent Fundraising Campaign
The foundation’s ongoing initiative for this pediatric hospital is based on a voluntary £1 donation added to bills across Ramsay’s restaurant chain. This contribution—amounting to millions worldwide—provides continuous financial support to GOSH Charity.
During the Christmas season of December 2024, the total sum raised was dedicated to building a new Children’s Cancer Center at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Without doubt, this initiative will continue to transform the lives of many children and their families.
For those wishing to support this cause, donations can also be made directly to GOSH Charity through the Gordon and Tana Ramsay Foundation at: www.gordonramsay.com/gr/about-gordon/gordon-and-tana-ramsay-foundation/
