The Truth About Gordon Ramsay's 'Feud' With Miss Piggy

It's always a bit awkward for the group when two beloved friends have a falling out. Even more awkward is when it happens in a public forum — like Twitter, for example. Or national television. But nothing is as uncomfortable as when one friend is a carnivorous, cleaver-wielding, Michelin star chef, and the other friend is ... well, the other friend is a pig. Not a metaphorical pig, mind you; the kind of pig that inspires such things as pancetta, pork chile verde, and bacon-wrapped shrimp. And, as the song goes, these are a few of Gordon Ramsay's favorite things.

Hence, the world waited on tenterhooks in anticipation of a particular 2017 episode of "MasterChef Junior," one in which the show's judges and junior chefs played host to a troupe of zany, lovable, anthropomorphic plush toys known as The Muppets. Sometime after The Muppets filmed the episode, Miss Piggy granted an exclusive interview to Entertainment Weekly. The slam piece, in which the doe-eyed swine pretended to forget who Ramsay was — arguably the Achilles' heel for the celebrity chef — made waves in the industry. And just like that, the stage was set for a knockout show. In this corner, at six-foot-two and weighing just under 200 lbs, Gordon Ramsay (via MD Daily Record). In this corner, at just over two feet tall, and weighing none of your beeswax, thank you very much, Miss Piggy. When the chef hats go on, the gloves come off.

This little piggy packs a punch

And just like that, the stage was set for a knockout show. In this corner, at six-foot-two and weighing just under 200 lbs, Gordon Ramsay (via MD Daily Record). In this corner, at just over two feet tall, and weighing none of your beeswax, thank you very much, Miss Piggy. When the chef hats go on, the gloves come off.

As far as we can tell, the gauntlet was thrown down by Miss Piggy, who tweeted the following on May 2, 2017: "Moi is in the @MasterChefJrFOX kitchen Thursday, trying to teach @GordonRamsay how to cook! Some like it #Hautecuisine" (via Refinery29). Unclear whether Ramsay was triggered by the insinuation that he needed cooking instructions from a puppet or the mediocre pun; regardless, Ramsay retaliated. "#Hautecuisine...Seriously?? I wouldn't give your cooking that much praise," Ramsay bristled, via Twitter. A series of rapid-fire tweets ensued, each nastier than the last.

The stovetops weren't the only things getting heated

At one point, The Swedish Chef was even dragged into the conversation by his serving spoons: "Praise? Who needs praise from a guy who finished second to The Swedish Chef at the annual #LutefiskBakeOff!" Miss Piggy tweeted. "At least he and I know how to cook and plate a dish properly!" Ramsay shot back.

You'll have to watch the actual episode to see how the pair fared in real life (that is, the "real life" of "MasterChef Junior"), but Ramsay's final tweet on the matter — "This little piggy went to market........" — was ominous, to say the least. The good news is that Miss Piggy is alive and well, as evidenced by the recent activity on her Twitter account. The self-identified diva has set her sights on another man in the spotlight, this time electing to adopt a far more affectionate tone: "Dearest @twhiddleston it was so nice hearing your stunning voice on this podcast," Miss Piggy tweeted earlier this month, referencing actor Tom Hiddleston's recent interview with the "D23 Inside Disney" podcast. Hiddleston and Miss Piggy had somewhat of a missed connection, according to Inside the Magic, and — unlike Ramsay — Hiddleston is one hunk of roast beef this little piggy wants to take all the way home.