We had a chance to sit down in Ireland with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay at his Gordon Ramsay at Powerscourt restaurant inside The Ritz-Carlton at Powerscourt, 30 minutes south of Dublin.
Known for his, shall we say, lack of patience with less than excellence, the Scottish chef supervises more than two dozen restaurants and gastropubs worldwide from Versailles to Boca Raton.
“People are much more interested and knowledgeable about food nowadays and there’s definitely been a move towards getting more involved with what’s going on in the kitchen,” says Ramsay.
Toward that end, his Powerscourt restaurant is undergoing a big makeover. A wine bar and charcuterie table has replaced a section of the formal dining room, providing a more casual environment for groups to mingle before dinner with stunning views of Sugar Loaf Mountain.
Chef Ramsay is also adding chefs tables here, where groups of 10 can dine stove-side, as well as two private dining rooms for executive dinners for up to 14/20 pax.
It’s a formula he’s applying at a lot of his establishments. Imagine a group cooking class where participants can prepare Michelin-rated meals with simple ingredients, like a roast sirloin of beef with shallots and wild mushrooms.
“We’ve tried not to overcomplicate. We are doing what we do best using amazing local, seasonal ingredients and letting them speak for themselves on the plate,” says Ramsay. “I think it’s fantastic that groups now have the opportunity to get a glimpse of what it’s like to be in a fine dining restaurant kitchen. We’ve got chefs’ tables at our restaurants and also dining rooms where you have a great view of the kitchen, so people can interact as much or as little as they want to.”
Chef Ramsay, all of this sounds expensive for groups, no?
“The trend has shifted slightly from groups being scared to spend on fine dining, to those willing to try alternative options. We know that the term ‘fine dining’ can be off-putting because of the price,” he says.
For larger groups, he suggests planners work with restaurant staff and event coordinators to put together meetings within a specific budget that allows for a fine dining ambiance.
“There are lunch menus at several of our restaurants that give guests an amazing dining experience, but at a more affordable price point,” he says.
The London West Hollywood
Closer to home, Ramsay oversees all F&B operations at The London West Hollywood in Los Angeles. The 223-suite hotel provides a plethora of group spaces, including an 80-seat private dining room at Gordon Ramsay at The London restaurant, as well as five 15-seat private rooms. Outside, there’s the 7,000-sf Hampton Court lawn and 3,800-sf rooftop pool and sun deck.
There, the glamour and sophistication iconic of Hollywood is an attraction for groups, who with outdoor and indoor options can get a 360-degree view of the Los Angeles skyline and the Hollywood Hills. The ambiance is modern and stylish with a décor of sober colors like black, brown and beige, evoking a sense of elegance and sassy movie star chic.
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