Eric Ripert Grills Gordon Ramsay for 'Abusive' Style

By PopEater Staff Posted Sep 29th 2010 10:40AM

After news that a second Gordon Ramsay reality TV chef committed suicide this week, fellow food judge Eric Ripert took his frustration out on the hot-tempered cooking kingpin via Twitter.

"Nothing personal against Gordon Ramsay, he is a poor inspiration for professional chefs in his shows," Ripert tweeted. "Who perform better scared, insulted?"

Joseph Cerniglia, who appeared on Ramsay's 'Kitchen Nightmares,' was found floating in the Hudson River earlier this week after he jumped off the George Washington Bridge. There is no direct link between Cerniglia's death and Ramsay, and it was already reported Cerniglia had serious debt issues, owing up to $80,000 through his restaurant in Fair Lawn, NJ. However, this wasn't the first chef with Ramsay ties to commit suicide. Rachel Brown, who appeared on 'Hell's Kitchen,' shot herself in her Dallas home back in 2007.

New York Daily News reported Cerniglia was busted for cocaine at his restaurant before his suicide.

During filming, Ramsay attacked Cerniglia about his struggling business, asking, "Why did you become a chef-owner if you haven't a clue how to run a business? Your business is about to f***ing swim down the Hudson!"

"I have my bad days [too], but always try to improve," Ripert tweeted about Ramsay. "TV or not, it's no excuse! Ultimately, I believe in the goodness of Gordon, but he is very wrong."

Ripert continued to attack Ramsay's verbally abusive style.

"Smart chef lead by sharing, teaching, inspiring with respect. Not insulting, abusing, humiliating their team," Ripert added.

Ramay issued a statement sending his condolences to Cerniglia's wife and his three sons.

"I was fortunate to spend time with Joe during the first season of 'Kitchen Nightmares," Ramsay said in a statement posted by E!Online. "Joe was a brilliant chef, and our thoughts go out to his family, friends and staff."

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Comments

(26)

Wednesday 29 September

By bstill

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I've watched a total of 5 minutes or less of his show. I can't believe it's still on. It just goes to show you how sick the culture that we live in is. That enough people would actually watch this insanity and keep it on the air. It's actually scary people, think about what it is that you support!

By Rae

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trainwreck show on a trainwreck broadcsting channel

By Donna

I have tried to watch Kitchen Nightmares before, but I couldnt stand the way Ramsay treated, and talked to the other chefs.
Theres never any need to treat ANYONE, the way ramsay treats other people. May be its all for the cameras? I dont know, I dont care. If thats what he thinks it takes to have a show, then may be hes in the wrong buisiness.
Eric is correct, no one can do anything better, while someone is screaming like a woman.
Ramsay is exactly what Eric said, insulting, humiliating, and abusive to all in the kitchen. Like the old saying says, ramsay, if you cant take the heat, get out of the kitchen.
I wished someone would treat ramsay, exactly like he has treated others, cruel.

By Assistant Chef

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You'd never make it working in a restaurant.

By anon69

"screaming like a woman"?

Tuesday 23 August

By Michael

That's the environment that Chef Ramsay was trained under. Marco Pierre White and Albert Roux weren't known for their even tempers, but for their culinary genius. I believe that Chef Roux actually gave one of his cooks two nervous breakdowns. Maybe thats where your old adage should be applied.

By james russell

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Sarah Palin probably doesn't know how to dance other then to stand on the floor and wiggle. Not a good idea for her to be considered to DWTS. As for GOrdon Ramsay" that pile of hate should not be having any reality shows what-so-ever. TO get some one to do something you don't yell and scream at them and throw tantrums. Wonder how many of the suicides are actually a result of his tirades? If it is just one that is too much. Get rid of the show. HE is just a loud smart mouth idiot.

By Me

Popeater should get some proofreaders. Why would Ramsay send condolences to RIPERT'S wife & kids? He's not the one who offed himself!!!

By Merrydan

"condolences to Ripert's wife and his three sons."

Um - no.

By amazon1967

Eric Ripert is awesome. Love him.

By Nico Toscani

After seeing Ripert on No Reservations several times it's quite clear he's ten times the chef that Ramsay is. Also a much smarter businessman. I find it odd that Ramsay is dispensing advice when his own restaurants are failing.

By puffnstuff224

I think this needs to be edited. "Ramay issued a statement sending his condolences to Ripert's wife and his three sons." Ramsay is wrongly spelled. Plus why would Ramsay be giving condolences to Ripert's family if Joseph Cerniglia is the one that died?

By Kath

I'm sorry, but when you sign up for any of Gordon Ramsey's shows you should know damn well what you are asking for. You cannot POSSIBLY blame Gordon Ramsey for these deaths!

By TP

How silly to insinuate that Gordon Ramsey has anything to do with these poor souls shooting themselves or getting busted with coke and then jumping off a bridge.
Everybody knows Gordon's style if you don't like it they don't have to be on HIS show

By RAB88

I am a fan of the show and of Ramsey, but I like Eric Ripert even more. Two totally different styles. I'd love to work for Ripert, Ramsey? Not so much.

Regarding "Kitchen Nightmares", if you'd bother to watch more than 5 minutes, you'd understand that most all of the restaurants in trouble that Ramsey works with has a chef/owner in total denial of their food, or service, or both. Gordon's overbearing manner and method of outright humiliation is often needed to snap those idiots out of their terrible situation and self induced bad habits regarding their business.

Would I want Gordon over to look through my kitchen? No. Would I want his advice if my business was on the brink of bankruptcy? Yes.

By todd

love the show ,keep it up, its not ur fault these people made poor life choices. they would have ended up killing themselves anyway.

By vicmar75

Gordon Ramsay is the best! Anyone who watches the show expects the screaming and demeaning attitude he portrays. It's a TV show for pity's sake! The contestants on the show know what they're getting into. All "reality" shows are scripted. If you don't like them, don't watch.
If you are a fan of Ramsay, as I am, and have watched any of his other shows, you would know that the persona on "Hell's Kitchen" is just that, a persona. In reality he is a great chef and a great businessman, and also a loving family man. Do you really think he would have had the success he's had if he ran his businesses the way he portrays on the show?

By steve

i watch the BBC-version of gordon's show , .......he's actually likable , jolly , wise-crackin , and helpfull to his own fellow countrymen/women restaurant-ownwers .

By MomMom

If anyone thinks Gordan Ramsey has any responsibility in the suicides of any of the contestants on his shows is ridiculous. They are weak minded, selfish individuals. Eric Ripert needs to shut his mouth about anything Ramsay does on his shows. How many shows does Ripert have on the air. I personally find Kitchen Nightmares and Hell's kitchen entertaining television. Those who sign up know what they're in for.

By Rosemary Hirsch

I have watched Gordon Ramsey's show and his "act," and found it appallng. He is insulting,cruel, violent, and somehow some people find him to be a role model? I find him disgusting and a bully. I do not even watch a minute of this so-called "entertainment" anymore. The show is for masochists, those who enjoy being abused or dominated. I have better things to do with my time than to watch this horrid show.

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