TV chef Gordon Ramsay has hit back at a writer for offering what he called a “hugely disrespectful” review of his latest restaurant venture.
The Kitchen Nightmares star, 52, has launched a new concept called Luck Cat and is touting it as an “authentic Asian” eatery.
But Angela Hui, who was at the venue’s pre-launch event, criticised the concept on her Instagram stories, joking that she needed to drink through the “pain” of being at a so-called ‘Asian’ event.
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She also posted on her stories, screengrabs of which were posted alongside her written review in Eater London: “Japanese? Chinese? It’s all Asian, who cares.”
Taking to Instagram to respond to Angela’s review, Gordon claimed the pre-launch for Luck Cat was “warm, buzzing and brilliant”.
He fumed: “In the 21 years that I have been running restaurants I have had my fair share of reviews – good and bad. Critics and reviewers have an important job to do, and it’s important that they are independent and have freedom of speech.
“However, the slew of derogatory and offensive social media posts that appeared on Angela Hui’s social channels, were not professional. It is fine to not like my food, but prejudice and insults are not welcome.”
Writing further, Gordon said Angela’s comments on social media calling the wife of his executive chef a “token Asian wife” were “personal and hugely disrespectful”.
He concluded the post by telling his followers that, while he might not agree with every review, he expects people who are critical to be “professional” and have “some integrity”.
But a number of people took to the comments to slam Gordon for being “irresponsible” and “insecure”.
One asked: “Is this the right way for a famous white critic to respond to a person of colour who has the temerity to question his Asian restaurant concept?”
Another, echoing this, wrote: “Rich powerful white man opens a restaurant and rightly gets called out on cultural appropriation. THIS is what you have chosen to promote the launch? It’s irresponsible to single out Angela, a young emerging journalist (who is Asian) to sooth your insecurities.”
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A third commented: “Gordon, I can’t believe how irresponsible you are single out the only Eastern Asian in your launch. A young female journalist with no following to your audience of over six million. I hope Hui is equipped to handle this abuse you’ve brought upon her.”
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