Never one to shy away from controversy, Scottish chef Gordon Ramsay is back in hot water again, thanks to a show so fresh it hasn’t even aired yet. Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted will be shown on National Geographic, starting on Sunday, July 21st, and the first trailer is giving us a taste of what’s to come.
Ramsay is most famous for shows including Kitchen Nightmares, Hotel Hell, Hell’s Kitchen, and The F Word, in which he rules over various kitchens, loudly and forcefully berating any unfortunate cook who fails to meet his exacting standards. In short, Gordon Ramsay shows serve up a main of red hot temper seasoned with curse words that would make a sailor blush. Until now, because as the name suggests, Uncharted sees Ramsay step far out of his comfort zone, heading to countries including Laos, Morocco, New Zealand, Peru, Hawaii, and Alaska.
Here’s the trailer:
What will Gordon Ramsay do for food? Anything and everything.
— National Geographic TV (@NatGeoTV) June 13, 2019
Get ready to go on a culinary adventure around the globe this July 21st with Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted on National Geographic. @GordonRamsay #Uncharted pic.twitter.com/Y6QEn3pDb9
This is where the controversy comes in, controversy that started when the series was first announced way back in June 2018. At that point, National Geographic described the show as a kind of culinary round-the-world trip meets cooking contest, in which Ramsay tries out various daring local pastimes while also challenging local chefs by putting his own spin on their food. Er, what?
The idea of a self-described “pink man from Great Britain” traveling to other countries to show the people there how to cook their own food better left a bad taste with some viewers:
I doubt if they had racist intentions, but I find this one problematic. Gordon Ramsay's new show "GORDON RAMSAY: UNCHARTED", will feature the chef visiting different countries and trying to prove he can prepare their dishes better than the locals.https://t.co/LMlHK8TqQ5
— Ruth Hart (@RuthchartRuth) July 30, 2018
The name of the show implies that these places are new, when they are very much inhabited, calling to mind another white explorer:
....UNCHARTED will include three key ingredients: unlocking a culture’s culinary secrets through exploration and adventure with local food heroes, no matter where they may lead him.” Because the world needs @GordonRamsay as Christopher Columbus. In 2018.
— ODeeDaily (@ODeeDaily) July 28, 2018
People were especially disappointed in National Geographic for their role:
Some felt so strongly that even videos of dolphins could not deter them from canceling their subscriptions:
I just discovered you are doing a show with @GordonRamsay ? Seriously? I am canceling my subscription and am so disappointed that you would pay him to do “uncharted”.
— Jen Johnson (@tennisjen7) July 29, 2018
These past criticisms may explain why the just-released trailer plays down the competitive side to focus on Ramsay looking uncharacteristically afraid as he tries out various customs in the places he’s visiting.
But the colonial undertones/cultural appropriation weren’t the only issues people had with the series.
It reminds some people a little too strongly of Anthony Bourdain’s beloved series, Parts Unknown, in which Bourdain (another white chef) set out to discover new food from around the world.
While Ramsay has a reputation for being… shall we say, hostile, Bourdain was always respectful of his hosts.
He also used food to highlight dignity in people and respect for races and cultures. An uncanny ability to relate to other humans that didn't come across as humbling himself or stepping down to another person's level but as a recognition of our commonality. It was such a gift.
— (((Orchid)))🌻 (@OrchidNYC) June 8, 2019
Given the obvious comparisons, many people are not expecting great things from Uncharted:
So this is basically how each episode of Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted is going to go: https://t.co/DRkfgbgTki
— Kate Russell, RDN (@kate_rdn) July 29, 2018
Ramsay isn’t the only one with anger issues:
Apparently this show is going to be called "Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted, so I can only hope it ends with Nathan Drake kicking him off a cliff. https://t.co/PYCFAo6tGo
— Drayson (@Rjinswand) December 18, 2018
Easy there, Drayson.
However, Ramsay still has his loyal fans:
I’m looking forward to @GordonRamsay #Uncharted on @NatGeoChannel Watching my culinary idol travel and forage for fresh and intriguing ingredients and then cooking fully off the cuff? Brilliant! pic.twitter.com/nUDE3UfVeF
— Miss G! 👩🏫☕️ (@TeachOnCaffeine) May 31, 2019
And some new ones who are all aboard with this new premise:
I'm stoked! We just binged watched @GordonRamsay shows from 2010 #Gordonsgreatescape now I see on @NatGeo his new show #uncharted starts July 21st.wooohoooo. We are so excited! #youalwayslearnfromthegreatchefs
— Phillis Mair (@Phillishalom) June 9, 2019
Some predicted this show long ago.
I THINK MY PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED WITH THIS NEW "@GordonRamsay : Uncharted" SHOW ON @NatGeo AND I'M ABOUT TO CRY. 🙌😩😭 https://t.co/zMdhUUmX8y
— Brielle (@ireallydunno753) May 7, 2019
But has Ramsay actually broken off a new leaf?
Gordon Ramsay has a new show called "uncharted" uncharted until he starts yelling.
— Destry (@DestryBrod) June 11, 2019
If you can stomach the awkwardness, tune in to find out.
