Whether you admire his culinary genius or find his fiery temper a bit much, there's no denying Gordon Ramsay’s authority when it comes to food.
The celebrity chef and restaurateur has built a global empire, earned an impressive 17 Michelin stars over his career, and continues to influence the restaurant world with his no-nonsense approach to dining.
In past interviews, Ramsay has offered several insider tips that could change how you order your next meal out (and possibly save you from an underwhelming dish).
One of his key pieces of advice? Be wary of the soup of the day.
In an interview with Town & Country, Ramsay revealed that the seemingly innocent daily soup option can be a red flag. “Ask what yesterday’s soup du jour was before today’s special,” he advised. “It may be the case that it’s the soup du month.”
In other words, what’s marketed as “freshly made” could actually be a reworked version of yesterday’s leftovers, repackaged and renamed. While that might not be inherently bad, it’s a good reminder that “daily” doesn’t always mean “newly prepared.”
Ramsay also shared a broader concern about menu specials in general. In a separate interview with The Daily Mail, he cautioned diners to approach lengthy specials lists with skepticism. “Specials are there to disappear throughout the evening,” he said. “When they list 10 specials, that’s not special.”
The implication? Restaurants may use specials as a way to offload ingredients that are nearing their shelf life or didn’t sell well the day before. A smaller, more focused specials list is likely more reliable, whereas an extensive one could signal that the kitchen is simply trying to use up excess stock.
However, Ramsay doesn’t just focus on what to avoid, he also has smart advice for making better choices. His tip? Talk to your server.
“It depends on the restaurant, but servers tend to taste most of the dishes on the menu,” he said. “They can give you insight into what the chef has added and what the locals have.”
According to Ramsay, your server is often one of the best sources of information about the menu. From hidden gems to seasonal standouts, they’re usually well-versed in what’s worth trying. “I’ve had some great recommendations from servers,” he added.
So next time you're dining out, take a cue from one of the world’s top chefs: think twice before defaulting to the daily soup or an overloaded specials board, and don’t underestimate the value of a quick chat with your server.
After all, if anyone knows how to navigate a restaurant menu like a pro, it’ll definitely be Gordon Ramsay!