Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay says Shanghai has ‘all the ingredients’ to rival Paris and New York

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay says Shanghai is at the forefront of a phenomenal culinary adventure, with its restaurants firmly on the map of global cuisine. He told CGTN that the city is a melting pot of talented young chefs, both international and Chinese – many of whom have returned home after honing their skills in Europe.

In December, Ramsay opened his first restaurant in Shanghai at Harrods’ exclusive private members’ club, the Residence.

“You look at the quality of whiskeys on the shelf, the wine list. And again, that need for perfection. Shanghai now can rub shoulders with Paris, Milan, New York, London, Barcelona, Rome. And so Shanghai has all the ingredients to be as good as Paris, as good as New York, and as good as London” he says.

Rare Cognac

The Harrods club charges a minimum annual membership fee of $21,000. As well as Ramsay’s restaurant, it offers members exclusive access to the department store’s own-brand private jets. It’s reported to stock Louis XIII Rare Cask 42.1 cognac, at a cost of nearly $60,000 dollars a bottle.

“Shanghai is desperate for luxury. It oozes great sophistication and competition is healthy” Ramsay says. “To be part of that now and to be part of that renaissance. I’m very happy.”