ON-TRADE NEWS: Ramsay linked to Versailles

Speculation that foul-mouthed celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is set to open a restaurant in France abounded last month after a private equity group that has backed previous ventures of his acquired a venue outside  Versailles.

The group, Blackstone, is a big player in the hotel industry, and Ramsay has been involved with restaurants in a number of its hotels in the past, including The Connaught and The Savoy. Its new acquisition is the Trianon Palace & Spa Hotel.

At the time of going to press, it was not yet confirmed whether Ramsay would be involved in Blackstone’s new venture.
In other Ramsay-related news, a Blackpool restaurant featured on his show Kitchen Nightmares has closed
its doors.

In March 2006, Jackson’s (previously known as Clubway 41), was celebrating success after appearing on Ramsay’s show. Less than nine months later, however, local newspaper Blackpool Today has reported on the closure of the restaurant. Part-owner and chef David Jackson claimed that “if it wasn’t for [Ramsay] and the publicity from the show we would have gone under in January.” Jackson blames the police and what he refers to as “belligerent council people”.

© db January 2007