Scottish by birth, Gordon was brought up in England after his parents moved south to Stratford-upon-Avon. His first career break came whilst playing football for Oxford United where he was spotted by a Glasgow Rangers scout in a FA youth club match. After completing trials he was signed by the Scottish champions at the age of 15. Three years later he had given up professional football and gone back to college to complete an HND course in hotel management.

Gordon moved to London where he joined Marco Pierre White in the early days of Harvey's in Wandsworth. After a couple of years, Gordon moved to Le Gavroche to work alongside Albert Roux. This was followed by three years working in France where he worked in the kitchens of Guy Savoy and Joël Robuchon. Here he was able to enhance his expertise in classic French cooking.

In October 1993, Gordon became chef of the newly opened Aubergine where he won many accolades including two Michelin stars within three years of opening.

Gordon's first book, Passion for Flavour, published by Conran Octopus, was published in October 1996. His second book, Passion for Seafood, was published in May 1999. A Chef for all Seasons was published by Quadrille in September 2000 and Just Desserts in September 2001. His latest book Secrets hit the shelves in September 2003.

In 1998 at the age of 31, Gordon set up his first, independently owned restaurant, Gordon Ramsay, on the former site of La Tante Claire in Chelsea.

A year later he opened Pétrus with his protegé Marcus Wareing as Chef Patron, at 33, St.James's Street. Within seven months it had won its first Michelin star.

In October 2001 Gordon opened 'Gordon Ramsay in Claridge's'.

Gordon has extensive consultancy agreements with a number of blue chip companies including Singapore Airlines and Booker Cash and Carry Limited.

In June 2000 Gordon won The Chef of the Year Award at the Cateys 2000 and his restaurant was voted the Top Restaurant in U.K. with a score of 28 in the 2001 London Zagat Survey. It was also named as the best Fine Dining Restaurant in the 2001 Harden's Guide.

On 19th January Gordon gained his third Michelin star in the Great Britain & Ireland Red Guide.

During 2002 the restaurant at Royal Hospital Road was named as the second best restaurant in the world by a poll run by Restaurant magazine.

In October 2002 Gordon Ramsay Holdings Limited took over the whole of the food and beverage operation at the Connaught Hotel and launched Gordon Ramsay at The Connaught in October.

2003 saw the opening of The Savoy Grill under Marcus Wareing, followed by Gordon's Boxwood Café in The Berkeley Hotel and later in the year Pétrus re-opened at The Berkeley and Angela Hartnett oversaw the opening of The Terrace at The Connaught.

January 2004 has seen the start of an excellent year for the Ramsay group with the Michelin star results leading to Angela Hartnett receiving her first star at the Connaught, the Savoy receiving its first star ever and Petrus and Gordon Ramsay at Claridges retaining their stars.