Hubby and I have really become Gordon Ramsey fans as of late. Have you ever watched Hell's Kitchen? How about the F word? We're kind of hooked. So much so that I squealed out loud when I saw chef Ramsey was doing a book signing at Borders. Would he tell me to piss off? Oh, I certainly hoped so!
I was excited. Fidgety, even. On the day of the event, I walked into Borders one hour early, cookbook in hand, and asked, "Is there a line?"
The security guard seemed confused. "A line for what?"
"For the Gordon Ramsey book signing?"
"Oh, sorry, that's next Wednesday."
What the? Was I really going that senile? Had my enthusiasm for the Scottish chef clouded my ability to grasp basic timetables? I'd been talking about this effing event for days now! I was mortified the next morning when I went into work and was asked, "Well, how was it??"
For perhaps the first time in my life, I was too early. No matter. I vowed to return to Borders in one week's time.
Though I find it thoroughly enchanting to watch him curse with such vigorous aplomb, I've always suspected that chef Ramsey is a much nicer bloke than he lets on. I mean, just look at the way he comes to the aid of failing restaurateurs in Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares! For reals.
Fast forward to this past Wednesday. I was first in line, (in the outdoor line, that is), and after shivering in the cold for nearly forty minutes the time had finally come to move inside. And not a moment too soon, since every thirty seconds some curious passerby would wander up and ask, "Who are you waiting for?" "Is there somebody famous in there?" Piss off! I longed to say, in true chef Ramsey fashion.
Once inside the store, I joined the long line of Foodies who winded and wrapped around the bookcases. I spent a few enthralling minutes perusing the covers in the Romance section until I noticed the woman standing only three people in front of me... Holy creme brulee, it was Rosann from Hell's Kitchen! There she was with her mom and daughter, waiting in line with the rest of us. (You can see her there on your right, actually, wearing the white sweater. Her mom is in the pink.) I know what you're thinking, and yes I felt like a giant creep snapping her picture, but naturally I was desperate to show you. When she turned my way, I told Rosann that Hubby and I were rooting for her. What can I say? I'm a frigging nerd.
It was fascinating to watch the interaction between Rosann and chef Ramsey, as he kissed and warmly greeted her family. It was a surreal Hell's Kitchen reunion of sorts, and The Odd Broad had herself a front row view. What were the odds? Oh look, he was so nice! See? I'd known it all along.
And then it was my turn.
Gordon stuck out his hand and gave me a lovely, firm handshake. Our conversation was as follows:
Gordon: "How are you, darling?" He asked in that distinctive voice of his.
Me: "I'm great, how are you?"
Gordon: "I love the voice!" "Where are you from?"
Me: "Boston!"
And then I stopped speaking, kind of, and just sort of stared dumbly as he wrote. He signed my book and gave me another handshake. I told him it was very nice to meet him and walked away, completely forgetting my camera. Someone actually had to stop me and say "Miss, you forgot your camera!"
Smooth, very smooth.
So nobody told me to piss off or go fuck myself, but all in all the experience was splendid. xoxo
You'd better have taken a picture w/ our boyfriend!!!!
Posted by: Weinerdog | May 02, 2008 at 09:51 AM
Piss off!
Posted by: Luke | May 02, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Jealous!
If I had the chance to meet G-Ram, I would ask him to call me "donkey!"
Does this make me a pervert??
Posted by: BabyFem | May 02, 2008 at 04:36 PM
I'm sorry what?
Posted by: Weinerdog | May 05, 2008 at 09:30 AM
If I hadn't been in such a Foodie daze I certainly would have asked him to call me donkey. Hubby was sad he missed it since G.R. probably would've called him big boy. Gotta love G. Ramsey!
Posted by: The Odd Broad | May 05, 2008 at 08:04 PM
What's up w/ the F*n donkey business?
I've never even heard him USE the word donkey!
It's certainly NOT british slang that I've heard....
And PlEASE I don't mean to be rude but can you NOT refer to him as G Ram or any such form? It makes him sound like a WANKER!!!!!
Posted by: Weinerdog | May 06, 2008 at 10:59 AM
He says it all the time! If you google Gordon Ramsey and the word donkey together, you'll see it's one of his favorite catchphrases. He's Scottish, perhaps it's Scottish thing?
Posted by: The Odd Broad | May 06, 2008 at 11:06 AM
I'll Google it, but I maintain I've never heard it used.
He's also about as "Scottish" as Rod Stewart.
Posted by: Weinerdog | May 06, 2008 at 01:30 PM
Google it, Donkey!
Posted by: The Odd Broad | May 06, 2008 at 01:47 PM
Okay, so I've seen/heard it w/ my own eyes.
He does call people Donkey......on Hells Kitchen which I don't watch that often.
Am I the only one who thinks this season is a joke?
Posted by: Weinerdog | May 06, 2008 at 02:50 PM
No I agree, it's pretty ragtime. Although I didn't watch last season. Still fantastic television, though! What I really love is "Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares."
Posted by: The Odd Broad | May 06, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Love it!
The Bestest is the F'Word.
He had his mum on on episode!
Posted by: Weinerdog | May 06, 2008 at 03:12 PM