'Being Gordon Ramsay' Review: Inside the Pressure Cooker of Perfection
- 53 minutes ago
- 3 min read
By Romey Norton- February 19, 2026
For decades, Gordon Ramsay has been a figure of extremes in the public imagination: characterised by a volcanic temper, surgical precision, and relentless standards. He is as synonymous with televised fury as he is with Michelin stars, a caricature sharpened by reality TV’s appetite for conflict. In a cultural moment increasingly interested in what lies behind performance, Being Gordon Ramsay tries to look past the shouting and examine the architecture of ambition, and family life, that pushes and sustains it.
Spanning six episodes and filmed over 12 months, the Netflix documentary series follows Ramsay in the lead-up to one of the most ambitious undertakings of his career: the launch of five distinct dining concepts within 22 Bishopsgate, one of London’s tallest and most high-profile buildings. Rather than framing this as a victory lap, the series treats it as a stress test, both creative and logistical, and deeply personal. Gordon describes it as a life-changing opportunity, and as a man who’s in his 60’s, it is inspiring to see he’s still hungry and eager for work, whilst the rest of us can’t wait to retire.
The series starts in his home, playing with his son, still talking about food, as his wife tries to get control and get them out of the house. It’s parts in these domestic spaces, capturing moments with his wife Tana and their six children, that tear down the stereotypical tyrant-chef. The series suggests that intensity is not something Ramsay switches on for cameras; it is the baseline from which everything else flows.
Structurally, the show alternates between boardroom decisions, construction delays, menu testing, and family antics. Ramsay is shown grappling with delegation, trust, and the fear of dilution as his empire expands. There are classic interviews in the Ramsay household, allowing for quieter moments of reflection - especially on the industry. These sections, from his knowledge and expertise, are eye-opening. From the pressures of taxes, people drinking less, eating out less and the reality of competition in the industry now, Ramsay is brutally honest in his fears for opening this new venture. He’s also not candid about his opinions on critics and how they kill the industry - awkward. There are some lovely moments with his family, like getting chef jackets for Tilly, his eldest daughter's wedding, and surprising his children, which show that softer side to Ramsay.
Visually, Being Gordon Ramsay is sleek without being glossy. The shaky hand-held cameras in the car and following him around attempt to give this documentary series a casual vibe. Then there’s extremely polished shots of working in the kitchen - making the job seem very glamorous. A rainy London also dampens spirits, especially when Ramsay has invited 100 food influencers to his rooftop and there’s no roof yet. Nothing worse than soggy sandwiches.
There’s still classic Ramsay moments, especially when he calls his head chefs ‘one bite wonders’ ‘shit on a plate’. And saying his own balls are pancakes. So there’s plenty of moments that will make you laugh out loud. This is a fun documentary series, and if I need to critique it, it’s a little too long; it could have been shortened into three episodes, as audiences might disengage with the length it takes to get this restaurant open.
If you’re looking for a show where Ramsay is shouting, swearing, and scaring everyone around him, then get back to Hell’s Kitchen. Being Gordon Ramsay is not a reckoning; it is an examination of momentum and what it takes to maintain relevance at the highest level, and what must be sacrificed along the way. By the time the restaurants open, the real achievement of the series is not demystifying Ramsay, but humanising the cost of excellence. In an era obsessed with branding, Being Gordon Ramsay offers a portrait of a man still chasing standards he knows he may never fully satisfy. And, we have to give credit for letting us into his life this way, it’s brilliant PR. Because if I can, I’ll be trying his new fancy rooftop restaurant.
All six episodes of 'Being Gordon Ramsay' are available to watch on Netflix.
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