Gordon Ramsay reveals 'biggest regret' in tearful career admission

Even with a career as successful as his, even Gordon Ramsay has things he wishes he could change. Gordon, who turns 59 today (November 8), began his culinary career at 19, enrolling in the Hotel Management program at North Oxfordshire Technical College. He later moved to another hotel as head chef, and from there went on to manage both the kitchen and the 60-seat dining room at the Wickham Arms. In a recent interview, Gordon reflected on his rise to fame, but grew visibly emotional when discussing the opening of a new restaurant on the site of Le Gavroche, the central London establishment co-founded by his mentor, Albert Roux, in 1967.

He admitted that returning to the Mayfair site, now home to his new venture Bonheur, was an emotional experience, as he reflected on the one thing that's missing. Welling up, the presenter said: "My biggest regret was not having Albert Roux there. It puts a lump in my throat thinking about him. That man was a powerhouse."

Albert operated Le Gavroche, the first restaurant in the UK to gain three Michelin stars. The French restaurateur died at the age of 85 in 2021.

Gordon has opened Bonheur in partnership with Matt Abé, an Australian chef who worked for 18 years at Gordon Ramsay Restaurants.

"I have to plan the succession, otherwise we get stale," Gordon explained. "Matt's ready - he's in the Champions League now."

On Instagram, Gordon celebrated the restaurant's opening, expressing pride in Matt and lauding his decade of leadership at his own restaurant.

He penned: "Tomorrow @chef.mattabe launches @bonheurbymattabe and I couldn't be more proud of him. Not only has he lead the kitchen at @restaurantgordonramsay for over a decade but he's taking on this new chapter at this iconic location that's deeply personal to me.

"It's where my career in London started and now it's in the hands of someone who puts the precision and passion into every plate and will lead it into an exciting future. Bon Appétit ! Gx."

On his own Instagram, Matt explained why he chose the name Bonheur for his restaurant.

He said: "In my mind, I've been having this journey over the last almost three years. Obviously, the name of the restaurant is very, very important. I have a little love for the French language.

"I love the way that certain words have certain kinds of emotions connected to them, a little different than how it's said in English. I just feel that the French element is very much a part of my career and my grounding and my upbringing."