British restaurateur, celebrity chef and recipe book author, Gordon Ramsay has had a busy year. Hell’s Kitchen is into its 9th season – that’s more than Grey’s Anatomy – MasterChef USA is taking off, he’s got a new book out and he’s still had time to launch a new restaurant venture, Bread Street Kitchen in London, to rave reviews. Eat Out caught up with Gordon to find out more about what he’s been up to, his views on vegetarians, female chefs and the worst dish he’s ever cooked.

Could you tell us more about your latest restaurant launch – Bread Street Kitchen?
It is different to anything we have done before. It’s a relaxed dining experience, set in a large warehouse-style room with a real East London feel. There is something for everyone – small plates so you can pick and choose from different kitchens; breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea; as well as great cocktail bar if you just want to pop in after work or to have a break from shopping. I was really excited to launch this restaurant and have spent a lot of time with the team from launch phase getting everything right. We’ve had an unprecedented response and I hope this continues.

What do you cook for yourself on a night off?
When I have a night off I like to cook dishes that are really simple but tasty. Either a nice quick pasta dish, maybe a Napolitano, or a juicy steak with a simple salad on the side.

It is well documented that you don’t like vegetarians! If you absolutely had to what would you cook for a vegetarian?
It’s not that I don’t like them, it’s just as a chef it’s alien to me. Actually I’m much more open to vegetarians after my trip to Asia where I discovered some amazing veggie dishes.  Don’t forget the vegetarian Indian restaurant Prashad that came second in Ramsay’s Best Restaurant.

You’ve chosen Clare Smyth for head chef in Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. Do you think the Kitchen is a tough place for female chefs?
In my experience, women make amazing chefs. They learn quicker and they bring a far greater level of patience and tolerance to a kitchen than any male chef I’ve ever met. I think that being in a kitchen is tough for anyone, man or woman. Clare has worked exceptionally hard to open the gates for women chefs; she has helped to create a level playing field.

If you were on a desert island, which five ingredients would you want alongside you?
If I were stranded on a desert island I’d want a dish that is light and fresh to eat, something like Vietnamese spring rolls. I’d catch some really beautiful juicy prawns and would add coriander, mint, vermicelli and shredded lettuce, all wrapped in rice paper. Delicious.

What’s the most disastrous dish you’ve ever made?
Right at the start of my career, I did a stint at a resort in the French Alps. One day the head chef asked me to put the fresh bouillabaisse outside in the freezing cold to chill it. Problem was the top froze over whilst the bottom continued to cook. By the evening it had festered and formed a thick froth on top. It was absolutely disgusting!

You’ve met many wannabe chefs in Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares. Do you have any advice for those who want to make it to the top?
The customer is king and therefore key. Also work hard, and ensure you surround yourself with the right team.

Want to try one of Gordon’s recipes for yourself? Check out Gordon’s fish pie with oysters and scallops, from his new book, Cooking for friends.

You can catch Gordon in January 2012 on BBC LIFESTYLE (channel 180 on DStv) in the following shows:

Ramsay’s Cookalong Live: Series 1 starts on 4th January 2012 at 21:00 on BBC Lifestyle (channel 180 on Dstv) – series ends on 15th February at 21:00
The F Word Series 3 on 5th January 2012 at 21 on BBC Lifestyle (channel 180 on DStv) – series continues every Thursday and Friday and ends on the 2nd February at 21:00