Books : Humble Pie

Rating: - oh my god
this is the best autobiography i have ever read. im not even that into cooking, well not professionally anyway. gordon ramsey is really an amazing cook. hes just ace! i cant believe what he has been through in his life from his dad's death to his brother's addiction. he is really one to admire. an inspirational read.

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Rating: - WOW!!!!
I had no idea what this man had gone through, and I can totally understand why he is the way he is.
I personally have always liked Gordon Ramsay and have the most respect for him, and reading this book has not changed that for me. I totally recommend this book.

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Rating: - Moving, engaging and inspiring
This book is a fabulous read on many levels. Gordons childhood was challenging and would have broken a lesser man, but instead he used it to fuel his efforts as a chef and as a result became what he is today.

There were real insights into the restaurant trade that were most enlightening. Meals out will never be the same again.

My life is most definately enriched from reading this book. We in Britian should be most proud of Gordon Ramsay. What an awesome man!

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Rating: - Engrossing life of a true genius
I read Humble Pie as a pre-runner to reading Playing With Fire...I found it totally engrossing. Gordon Ramsay writes from the heart in describing his early difficult childhood with an overbearing, selfish and violent father to his curtailed football career and then to finding a career in the Kitchen almost by accident. Ramsay really earned his stripes in gathering cooking experience, especially in France and via his old Mentor Marco Pierre White and that is why he is the most respected Chef in the world today. The guy is already a culinary genius and his natural persona shines through as a genuine celebrity (even if he hates the concept of 'Celebrity Chef'). The insight into behind the scenes at Hell's Kitchen really shows that he is totally his own man. A must for all Ramsay fans

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Rating: - Exciting and inspiring
I'm not generally a fan of autobiographies per se, finding many of them bland and without substance and certainly with very little resonance. This was a very nice surprise, I picked up the book on a whim, having enjoyed the show "Kitchen Nightmares", and I'm pleased I did as it gives a great insight into a man with extraordinary drive, huge resilience, if slightly questionable manners.

In this book, Ramsay lays bare his tough childhood, his enormous passion for food, his will to succeed, which are all admirable qualities. However, his confront of the problems ahead of him and huge predilection and penchant for hard work are what inspire. Ramsay hasn't overly sanitised his biography to stop offence or to bury the hatchet regarding past grievances (but then that shouldn't come as any sort of surprise if you have seen any of his television shows). He is polemical regarding those who he feels have attempted to undermine him, or have deservedly experienced his ire.

This review may seem a homage to Ramsay, and I do hold in high regard his incredible strength of character and determination, which from my viewpoint (restricted of course as I have not met the man) are senior quailities to even his cooking ability, after all how many of us will really work 16 hours a day for 10 years to reach their goal? Add into that the salaries on offer generally in catering, and you conclude that you must exude an inordinate amount of avidity, enthusiasm and zest for your craft. I'm not sure I would ever want to work for Ramsay and have to render my excuses while meeting him on one of his cantankerous episodes, but if I was ever to give an example of how single-minded you must be to have such massive success, Mr Ramsay would not be far from the top of the list.

If this autobiography had contained a little more on the business intricacies relating to his success, it would have received five stars, but he's not worth over 50 million for nothing, so as predictably as sun will rise, I will buy the next book which covers his business interests. I am another one of Gordon Ramsay's many customers that comes back, even if it does rankle a little in this case, you can't deny this Michelin recognised chef's star quality.