Big Fish with Spencer Matthews returns with Gordon Ramsey exclusive

Big Fish with Spencer Matthews has returned for a second series, kicking off with an exclusive interview with TV chef Gordon Ramsay.

Speaking to podcast host Spencer Matthews, the Michelin star restaurateur discussed the motivation behind his success, shared how he convinced Marco Pierre White to give him his first job and opened-up about his failed professional football career when he was younger.

Discussing the motivation behind his success, Gordon explained that he grew up in some difficult places but didn’t start cooking to get rich. He said that he just wanted to better himself and get out of a situation that was unfortunate.

“What you don’t have in life you search for, and then when you get it, you maintain it. So no, I never expected that level of success. But like any success, it’s been worked for, it’s never handed on a plate,” he tells Spencer.

Gordon thinks his drive comes from his mum, watching her juggle three jobs. She was a SRN nurse at night, was a cook in a restaurant during the day, before spending time cleaning.

Sharing how he convinced Marco Pierre White to give him his first big break in restaurants, Gordon says: “I knew jack s**t. I thought I was talented, I thought I knew something. I went to see him and that’s where this whole sort of journey really started. I knew what I wanted, but I just hadn’t found the right person and he was like a big brother.”

Gordon also opens up to Spencer about how his dream of becoming a professional football player was halted by an injury when he smashed his cartilage and tore his cruciate ligament.

After this, he took up a hotel management course: “I did three days a week at college and then three days a week in a restaurant. So that was the turnaround. That was the moment when I thought forget the football. You know, I’m going to be a chef,” he says.

You can listen to the full interview on the Big Fish with Spencer Matthews podcast on Global Player now.