Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has opened more than 80 restaurants internationally, but the most recent — Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby in Downtown Disney — is also among his most personal.
The British Invasion-themed restaurant soft-opened to the public in July, around the same time Earl of Sandwich debuted its all-new flagship on the ground floor.
Upstairs, Ramsay’s concept draws inspiration from the ’60s and the famous Carnaby Street in London, although having been born in 1966, the “Hell’s Kitchen” star is a little young to have experienced “Swinging” London
Ramsay made an appearance at his Anaheim eatery Wednesday and, in an interview with TimesOC, discussed the true inspiration behind his groovy new place: his mum.
“She was a ’60s chick, in love with the Beatles,” Ramsay said.
Helen Cosgrove worked three jobs, including as a cook at a local bistro near the birthplace of William Shakespeare. In his youth, Ramsay sometimes stopped in before soccer practice to help his mom with prep, standing on a bench to reach the counter.
“I went back to her original restaurant three weeks ago, in Stratford-upon-Avon, and I walked into the kitchen and the same bench was there,” he said. “I used to stand on the edge of that bench and peel onions and peel carrots.”
The decor at Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby evokes groovy 1960s London.
(Edwin Goei)
Ramsay not only inherited Cosgrove’s cooking talent but also her tastes, which were influenced by the popular culture that came to define Carnaby.
“She was only 20 years old when she had me in the ‘60s, and it’s a time we still talk about now, her love of the music and fashion,” Ramsay, 59, said.
The Carnaby in Anaheim features framed images of Lesley Lawson, better known as Mod icon Twiggy, and posters The Who and Pink Floyd. Perceptive visitors will notice one other parting shot if they look closely at the placemats. Among the imagery of Mod models and Union Jacks, is a school photo of Ramsay at age 8, sporting a shaggy Beatles-esque hairdo.
“Mum would literally put a fricking bowl on my head and and trim … I look like I’ve got a helmet on,” he said. “But the fringe was the style. I look at that now and think, ‘Mum, you had style.’ We didn’t waste much money on hairdressing, but she had style. God bless her.”
The Carnaby is Ramsay’s first on Disney property. The father of six said it was important that his first foray into cooking at a Disney Resort be in Anaheim, because of his own family’s connection to the park
“I have still got pictures of Tilly, Jack, Megan and Holly on the teacups in 2004 when we took a trip here,” he said. “To have my two other little boys in the park today as we speak, experiencing what they are experiencing, is a dream.”
Of course, it is no surprise the Disney Pixar Animation Studios film Ramsay favors is 2007’s “Ratatouille,” which portrays a rat with a refined culinary palate and a dream of becoming the world’s greatest chef.
“It was a really nice way to shed light on the industry and have some really fun moments,” Ramsay said.
Gordon Ramsay with Mickey Mouse and Disneyland Resort President Jill Estorino at The Carnaby restaurant.
(Disneyland Resort/Christian Thompson)
The Carnaby menu blends iconic British dishes with a Southern California sensibility. While diners can find his signature Beef Wellington — “My nickname in the industry now is Lord Wellington,” Ramsay joked — they will also find pea guacamole.
“Opening a restaurant of this magnitude in such an exclusive place like this, you need to tailor make what is happening locally,” Ramsay said. “From the pea guacamole to the salt and pepper squid, the elevated nachos to the beautiful bangers and mash, we’ve been very smart about this menu.”
The sticky toffee pudding served at Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby.
(Edwin Goei)
The Idiot Sandwich, named for one Ramsay’s most highly meme’d moments and his latest cookbook, features a triple-fried chicken breast, G.F.C. sauce and dill pickle on a brioche bun, while the prawn cocktail rolls layers poached prawns with Marie Rose sauce, avocado purée, American caviar and malt vinegar crisps.
Ramsay’s hope is for The Carnaby to become part of a family’s Disney memory.
“I’d like to think its the finish to an amazing day,” he said.
Dining and Cooking