Gordon Ramsay has been vocal about the importance of travel and exploring different cultures and thinks that it can help chefs perfect their skills in the kitchen (via Eat This, Not That). He said, “I thought I really knew how to cook when I worked for Marco and then when I went to France, it really opened my eyes.” He added that travel can help you pick up a range of techniques as a culinary artist.
Working in Paris also taught Ramsay to stand up for himself. According to Fine Dining Lovers, when a fellow chef tried to prank Ramsay by cracking open an egg on his head, Ramsay retaliated with rotten pigeon livers.
Additionally, he said that working in France really helped his perspective in general. He had to learn how to survive with little money in Paris and make a life for himself. He also taught himself French in a bid to be a part of the local culture and get along with his peers. Fluency in French also helped him get a promotion and a raise (via Restaurant Insider). In addition, he found that “learning a second language gives you so much more confidence in the kitchen.”
