Chef Gordon Ramsay is claiming that a rival sabotaged the big opening night of his new restaurant, Heddon Street Kitchen, by booking fake reservations.
According to a report from Telegraph UK, the culinary master turned reality TV star revealed: "Saturday was our first big day, we had 140 on the books and we had a 100 no show."
"So someone would have been on a computer... (it was) sabotage," Chef Gordon Ramsay said, adding that "there's all that level of envy" in the restaurant industry.
The "Hell's Kitchen" star pointed out: "It's bad spirit and you see the staff and they are down and frustrated, I was there to pick them up and make sure we stay focused.
"Now we're going to reconfirm every table," he shared about his Mayfair restaurant, reported by Telegraph UK.
Aside from dealing with alleged jealous rivals, Chef Gordon Ramsay has been slammed with debt rumors as well, which have resurfaced recently.
According to an earlier report from UK Telegraph, the chef is trying to secure outside investors to help expand restaurants under the Gordon Ramsay Group (GRG). The famous British reality TV star has even hired accountancy group BDO to help sign minority investors to raise capital for his food empire.
The accountancy firm is reportedly looking at an initial valuation of around £80m. Though looking for investors, Chef Gordon Ramsay reportedly still wants to maintain majority control over the 24-door restaurant chain.
News of the investor lookout followed news from Eater.com that reported how "Gordon Ramsay at The London" restaurant will be closing after it opened to high expectations back in 2006.
The high-end restaurant was initially given two Michelin stars. A rep for the hotel explained that they are doing closing the restaurant "to reflect the more casual dining style preferred by the guests."
Eater.com. added that the culinary master turned TV personality's other establishments within the hotel - such as Maze by Gordon Ramsay and The London Bar - will remain open.
However, Chef Gordon Ramsay's team has blasted the hotel for the restaurant's unexpected closing. His rep told New York Daily News: "We are heavily involved with all our restaurants and partners around the world with the exception of The London, who unfortunately rarely cooperate or communicate with us."
The spokesperson added: "It's disappointing that they have taken this decision but we believe the dining experience they've been offering lately has not been the standard expected by us or our customers when they dine at a Gordon Ramsay restaurant."
