Gordon Ramsay is one of the world’s most well-known celebrity chefs.
Like many celebrities, he’s able to use his fame to express his political and social views.
But now Ramsay is under fire for being “culturally insensitive” in his newest show.
“Uncharted,” The Synopsis
Gordon Ramsay’s new National Geographic series, “Uncharted,” has found itself under fire for being culturally insensitive.
The series is based around the “Hell’s Kitchen” star as he travels the world and “draws connections between exploration, adventure and food — with a dash of friendly competition”.
To fully embrace the culture of each region, he will have to hunt and gather many of the ingredients himself.
The show’s synopsis is as follows:
“Join Ramsay as he scales roofs of caves to harvest fresh nests in Malaysian Borneo and puts fear aside to hunt tarantulas in Cambodia.”
“Ramsay will travel through cities and remote areas, experiencing local challenges underwater, across mountains and through the jungle, and explore each location’s extraordinary cultures, to uncover what it really takes to obtain each special ingredient.”
“The series moves beyond conversation to truly immerse Ramsay in all aspects of the local culture to better prepare him for the final friendly cooking competition with local chefs and foodies.”
Why “Uncharted” Is Unpopular
Many are upset over the show’s theme, claiming it’s “culturally insensitive” for Ramsey to embark on such an authentic endeavor.
Several of Ramsay’s fans and fellow chefs took to Twitter to criticize the series as “colonization.”
the last thing the food world needs right now is Gordon Ramsay going to foreign countries showing “locals he can cook their cuisines better than they can” pic.twitter.com/dqD3dW5Lnc
— Eddie Huang (@MrEddieHuang) July 27, 2018
Others were upset that Ramsay, a white and privileged male, was competing with locals of rural regions to cook their traditional meals.
They’re gonna have to change the name of that show to “The Colonizer”
— Anthony Velazquez (@AvelaTT) July 27, 2018
the last thing the food world needs right now is Gordon Ramsay going to foreign countries showing “locals he can cook their cuisines better than they can” pic.twitter.com/dqD3dW5Lnc
— Eddie Huang (@MrEddieHuang) July 27, 2018
Even fellow celebrity Chef Andrew Zimmern bashed the series and supported Eddie Huang’s status.
Very true my brother. That’s an ethnocentric meme that perpetuates the problems of “otherness” and invisibility.
I miss you btw— Andrew Zimmern (@andrewzimmern) July 27, 2018
An Ode To A “Great Mate” Or A Profit Off His Death?
Some are also bashing the show for its similarities to the late Anthony Bourdain’s show, “Parts Unknown”.
“Uncharted” was announced in June shortly after Anthony Bourdain’s death and Ramsay has faced heavy criticism for its similar concept.
While Ramsay has said “Uncharted” is not meant to be a reproduction of his “great mate’s” show, the timing does seem questionable.
Do you believe Gordon Ramsay’s new show is culturally insensitive?
Please leave us your thoughts in the comments section below.
