Gordon Ramsay Surprise Judges Cooking Competition In Baltimore

While Gordon Ramsay is known for being a brazen host on television, he actually seems to have a heart of gold under that rough exterior. The celebrity chef proved that when he surprised a Baltimore community as a guest judge during a cooking competition.

The competition was being held at Gordon’s namesake restaurant, Gordon Ramsay Steak, in the Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore, MD. Four culinary students from Stratford University were competing against one another for the chance to win $1,000 in kitchen tools, a $5,000 tuition reimbursement, and a job offer to work in Gordon’s restaurant. It’s safe to say the steaks stakes were high (sorry)!!

Initially, the two judges for the competition were Baltimore Raven’s punter Sam Koch and Christina Wilson, the executive chef of the U.S. division of Gordon Ramsay Group. If that wasn’t intimidating enough, in the middle of the competition Gordon Ramsay surprised the contestants as a third judge. He is rumored to be in the Baltimore area filming for his show 24 Hours to Hell and Back.

In the end, the winning dish was pan-seared scallops served over green apples with bacon. It will be a featured menu item at Baltimore’s Gordon Ramsay Steak restaurant.

In an interview with Baltimore’s local CBS News, Gordon said that giving a young chef the opportunity to work in one of his kitchens is important to him.

“Taking one of them on is a dream,” he told the outlet. “We’ve all had help in our life, and I don’t care how talented or how successful you are, (you) have to remember those grassroots.”