This Is What Got Gordon Ramsay To Care About Vegetarians
You're either a fan of Gordon Ramsay and his no-nonsense, intense, and often rude demeanor, or you can't stand him. Typically, there's no middle ground with this celebrity chef and TV personality. Either way, there's no denying that this Scottish chef has a huge following, due in part to his famous TV shows, "Hell's Kitchen" and "MasterChef" (per IMDB).
Unbeknownst to many people, Ramsay got his start in London. He quickly worked his way to the top — and within five years, he obtained a much-coveted Michelin star. He's also the owner of over 20 restaurants in various big cities, including The River Restaurant in London, England and Gordon Ramsay Fish and Chips in Orlando, Florida, according to his official website. At present, he has a total of seven Michelin stars.
Ramsay may come across as having a "my way or the highway" attitude, and you wouldn't be wrong. For instance, when it comes to vegetarians and vegans, Ramsay hasn't always been understanding — and he's never one to hide his sentiments (per Mental Floss).
A video on piglet castration changed Ramsay's opinion
However, Ramsay began to change his tune when he learned about different ways animals for consumption are treated. When Ramsay watched a video of the pig farming industry in Europe where he witnessed tail docking — when a baby pig's tail is removed — Ramsay started to change his tune and his way of thinking. Ramsay was so shocked by this horrible practice that in a video on his YouTube channel, he stated: "It's enough to make anyone turn f***ing vegetarian, for God's sake."
He also admitted to bashing people who choose not to eat meat or any type of animal products. However, he explained that now, he can understand why someone may be entirely turned off meat, no matter how delicious it tastes. "And I've always sort of knocked vegetarians and vegans for, you know, missing out on the most amazing flavor you get from meat, but you can see why so many people change instantly."
You just never know when someone will change their mind and attitude about something, even when it's a hot-tempered chef who seems impossible to change. So next time you find yourself trying to explain your lifestyle choices or what really happens in big commercial meat farms, remember that people sometimes need to stumble upon the information themselves for it to have a big impact or make them rethink their own choices.