Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay recently shared a poignant memory from his childhood that sheds light on an ongoing issue. The culinary giant might be known for his Michelin-star restaurants, but his beginnings were far from glamorous. Raised in various council estates across England and Scotland, Gordon’s family struggled financially. With a mother who worked as a nurse and a father battling alcoholism, Gordon often depended on free school meals.
Reflecting on his past, Gordon revealed that around age 14 or 15, he became too embarrassed to eat those school dinners. “Growing up, you didn’t quite understand what you lacked. School dinners were a huge embarrassment, and I’ve never forgotten those moments,” he admits. The stigma of having a yellow ticket, marking his meals as paid for by social security, led him to skip them eventually.
Today, Gordon is determined to make a difference. He’s partnering with Feeding Britain, a charity tackling child hunger. Shockingly, over 800,000 children in Britain face hunger during school holidays. “These numbers are heartbreaking,” Gordon stated. “I want to make a change.”
Feeding Britain collaborates with local and regional anti-hunger groups to prevent anyone in the UK from going hungry. With a third of UK children under five living without secure access to healthy food, organisations like the Trussell Trust highlight the urgent need for action against hunger.
Remembering his own struggles with food insecurity, Gordon is passionate about supporting this cause: “It’s heartbreaking that so many children still face that same fear of hunger today, especially during school holidays. Together, with incredible organisations like Feeding Britain, we can make a difference.”
Join Gordon Ramsay in making sure no child goes hungry. Together, we can support Feeding Britain’s incredible work. Let’s make a change! 🍽️💪