You’ve probably heard of Gordon Ramsay before. He is one of the most influential chefs in the world, best known for his unique temper and his many TV appearances on several cooking shows, such as MasterChef. Have you ever wondered how he perfected his craft or the process he follows to create his amazing signature recipes? Look no further because this MasterClass series offers you exactly that: an insider’s look into Gordon’s secret cooking techniques taught from his very own kitchen!
From perfecting knife skills to cooking a showstopper Beef Wellington, each lesson offers a taste of Gordon’s passion and expertise. As someone who loves cooking and learning more about the cooking process, I believe that the professional advice, combined with the captivating positive energy Gordon shares in every lesson, made this MasterClass a truly exceptional experience.
But is Gordon Ramsay’s Cooking Masterclass truly worth the investment for aspiring chefs and cooking enthusiasts? In this review, we aim to answer this question by taking you through Gordon Ramsay’s Cooking I and II MasterClasses. We’ll explore both parts of the series, examining their content in search of their strengths and areas for improvement, and find out whether they are a worthy investment for those looking to elevate their cooking skills. As we navigate through the various aspects of these Masterclass series, we’ll answer the ultimate question: Is Gordon Ramsay’s Cooking Masterclass series the grand culinary experience it promises to be? Keep reading to find out!
Table of Contents
What is the Gordon Ramsay MasterClass series?
Gordon Ramsay’s Cooking I and II is a MasterClass series where the Michelin Star-awarded chef invites you into his kitchen to teach you the art of professional cooking. With 20 engaging foundational lessons and over 15 restaurant-inspired recipes, Gordon expertly guides you through the secrets of making unforgettable dishes.
Cooking I covers all the basic knowledge you need to start cooking fabulous meals, and it’s a great way to get into the world of cooking as it is designed for students at various skill levels. With topics ranging from knife skills to cutting down a whole chicken or fish, this course lays the first steps to creating restaurant-quality dishes.
Building on the skills acquired in Cooking I, Cooking II steps up the game with 15 lessons on restaurant-inspired dishes. Be it a Red Wine Poached Egg or a Raspberry Soufflé, you will learn to prepare a restaurant-worthy menu at home, and you’ll become the best dinner host ever!
Who is Gordon Ramsay?
Born in 1966 in Johnstone, Scotland, Gordon Ramsay is a culinary icon known for his numerous appearances on cooking TV shows and his extraordinary cooking abilities that have earned him international recognition. Having trained under eminent chefs like Marco Pierre White, Ramsay has established acclaimed Michelin star-awarded restaurants worldwide, one of the most prestigious recognitions in the gastronomical field.
Who is the target audience of Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClasses?
This MasterClass is perfect for anyone curious about professional cooking or aiming to take their culinary skills to new heights. Home cooks seeking to impress guests with restaurant-inspired dishes will become the life of dinner parties, while aspiring chefs will learn more of the trade with Gordon as an inspirational example. Since there aren’t any prerequisites, this Masterclass is a great and valuable learning opportunity for both beginners and professionals. However, a love for cooking is definitely a must-have!
What do Gordon Ramsay's MasterClasses cover?
This MasterClass series is an extensive guide to learning how to cook, even for those with no prior culinary knowledge. In Cooking I, you will learn fundamental techniques, such as mastering knife skills, preparing poultry and fish, and preparing restaurant-quality dishes. In Cooking II, you will apply the foundations from Cooking I in restaurant-inspired recipes covering appetizers, mains, sides, and desserts.
Here’s a breakdown of the key topics covered in Gordon Ramsay’s Cooking MasterClass series:
Learn the basics of cooking in 20 engaging lessons, intertwining foundational knowledge with mouth-watering recipes you can recreate at home!
- Introduction: Gordon welcomes you to his kitchen, providing an overview of the course and what’s in store for aspiring chefs.
- Gordon’s Culinary Journey: Learn about Gordon’s path to becoming one of the world’s most recognizable chefs.
- Kitchen Layout and Method: Dive into the essentials of kitchen setup and the importance of efficient layout.
- Mastering Ingredients – Vegetables & Herbs: Gordon guides you through selecting top-quality herbs and vegetables.
- Poached Egg & Mushrooms on Brioche: Master the art of poaching eggs and creating a delightful breakfast dish under Gordon’s expert guidance.
- Knife Skills: Gordon emphasizes the importance of knife skills, covering basics like sharpening and holding these tools.
- Elevated Scrambled Eggs: Tackle the challenge of cooking perfect scrambled eggs and elevate them with sea urchin and white truffle.
- Breaking Down a Whole Chicken: Gordon teaches you how to extract every ounce of goodness from a whole chicken.
- Chicken Suprême with Root Vegetables: Learn to create a delicious entrée with perfectly roasted root vegetables.
- Mastering Ingredients – Fish & Shellfish: Gordon shares tips on selecting high-quality fish and shellfish for exceptional dishes.
- Gordon’s Journey – Becoming a Master: Learn about Gordon’s journey, from opening his first restaurant to achieving three Michelin stars.
- Breaking Down a Whole Fish: Overcome the fear of filleting a whole fish with Gordon’s step-by-step tutorial.
- Salmon with Shellfish Minestrone: Perfect your fish fillet cooking skills with a shellfish and vegetable minestrone.
- Making Pasta Dough: Gordon imparts the art of creating handmade pasta, a skill he learned in Italy.
- Rolling Pasta Dough: Learn to roll out delicate, paper-thin pasta suitable for various noodle varieties.
- Lobster Ravioli: Gordon shares the signature recipe for lobster ravioli, a dish that has remained on the menu at his three Michelin star restaurant.
- Mastering Ingredients – Beef, Lamb, & Pork: Learn how to cook with various cuts of beef, lamb, and pork.
- Beef Wellington: Learn the secrets behind one of Gordon’s most iconic dishes.
- Advice for Life: Gordon shares universal advice for success, reflecting on the challenges of his own path.
- Closing: Wrap up the MasterClass with final words of encouragement from Gordon Ramsay.
Building on the skills acquired in Cooking I, Cooking II elevates the learning experience with 15 lessons covering restaurant-inspired dishes.
- Introduction: Gordon explains why he’s back with a second class and how his newest restaurant-inspired recipes will help you impress your next dinner guests with a fabulous at-home dining experience.
- Red Wine Poached Egg, Asparagus, and Mushrooms: Get tips on how to prep vegetables and poach eggs ahead of time for quick assembly when you’re ready to serve.
- Crispy Duck with Red Endive and Spinach: Gordon teaches you how to cook duck breast in its own rendered fat for crispy skin and tender flesh.
- Pomme Purée: Learn how to choose the right type of potato and achieve a smooth and creamy puree.
- Cauliflower Steak, Olives, and Mushrooms: Gordon demonstrates how to transform an ordinary head of cauliflower into a show-stopping vegetarian dish.
- Rack of Lamb with Thumbelina Carrots: Learn how to gently sear a rack of lamb and decorate it with Thumbelina carrots.
- Roasted Eggplant With Basil and Feta: Gordon shares his tips for extracting the bitterness from eggplant and roasting it in its skin.
- Grilled Baby Leeks, Miso Broth, and Caviar Vinaigrette: Make Gordon’s dish of grilled baby leeks poached in a miso broth full of flavor.
- Szechuan Roasted Whole Chicken: Gordon teaches you how to roast a whole chicken with homemade Szechuan pepper mix.
- Hoisin Chicken and Pickled Daikon: Gordon teaches you how to make his crispy hoisin chicken.
- Szechuan Chicken Breast and Udon Noodles: Learn how to make a quick, flavorful broth and pair it with udon noodles and Szechuan-crusted chicken breast.
- Sesame-Crusted Tuna With Cucumber Salad: Learn how to cook this delicate meat and make cucumber “noodles” with a yuzu dressing.
- Fried Branzino With Thai Chili Lettuce Cups: Learn how to trim, marinate, and shallow fry a whole branzino with a stunning presentation.
- Raspberry Soufflé: Gordon teaches you “the science of souffle.” Learn how to bake airy soufflés with crisp edges and perfect height for a sweet end to a special meal.
- Closing: Gordon encourages you to continue your cooking journey and to try your own spin on each dish as you gain confidence and creativity in the kitchen.
My favorite parts of Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClasses
As I progressed through Gordon Ramsay’s lessons and learned his amazing cooking techniques, certain lessons stood out as personal favorites:
Knife skills mastery
Gordon Ramsay’s meticulous approach to teaching knife skills was a game-changer. The detailed guidance on sharpening, holding, and using knives significantly improved my technique and boosted my confidence in the kitchen.
The best advice Gordon gives on this matter is to not worry about the speed. As Gordon says, the speed will come once you’ve mastered the technique, but you’ve got to get the technique right first, so be patient! According to Gordon, the biggest mistake amateurs make is they try to chop too fast first. Instead of that, he urges you to get your techniques nailed and focus on being precise rather than fast.
Be precise. The more precise you are, the quicker and the better you will chop.
Find your passion in life
Gordon never cooked for money, and he urges you to follow his example. What he had was a burning desire to get to the top. So, you must focus on finding a passion because everything else will fall into place. His advice is to stop worrying about a bonus or financial security and to focus on pursuing your passions. Be passionate about what you do, no matter what it is, and it will bring you joy.
Enjoy the process
Don’t strive for perfection; strive to learn and enjoy every step of the cooking process. Gordon advises you to follow the class carefully, take elements one at a time, and perfect them separately before putting them all together. Take your time cooking.
Get super close to your ingredients, taste the dishes every step of the way and you’ll see the difference in the end result.
Maybe you won’t get there the first time you make them, maybe not even the second or third, but you have to keep on trying and perfecting your skills. After a while, it will become natural, and you will be ready to “go and host that incredible big dinner.”
How much does the MasterClass cost?
MasterClass is a subscription-based learning platform, so it’s not possible to purchase courses individually. If you want to take this MasterClass, you have to become a subscriber.
The standard annual plan has been renamed "Plus" and is available at $120 a year (which makes it $10 per month, billed annually), and now provides access to all MasterClass courses on two devices instead of one. The Premium plan, providing access for up to six devices costs $240 per year.
A MasterClass subscription gives you unlimited access to a catalog of 200+ classes, so if you want to take multiple classes throughout the year, the subscription is definitely worth it, and there are pleny of interesting courses on related topics to explore.
Also, the platform offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, so if you’re not happy with your learning experience, you can request a full refund.
Note that the "Standard" membership, priced at $72 per year, only gives you access to their short-form learning content – none of their full MasterClasses are included.
What I liked about Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClasses
This MasterClass series stands out for its comprehensive curriculum, expert guidance, and seamless progression from basic skills to advanced techniques. Here are some of the things I liked the most about the masterclass:
- Immersive visual experience: The course’s captivating visuals and music created an immersive learning environment, making each lesson engaging and enjoyable.
- Real-time recipes: The inclusion of real-time recipes allows you to follow Gordon’s techniques step-by-step, developing and acquiring the knowledge and the ability to execute them confidently. Plus, you can revise each lesson as many times as needed to perfect them!
- Comprehensive class guide: The detailed PDF class guide, featuring lesson recaps and complete recipes, was definitely one of my favorite parts. Filled with cooking tips and a dedicated space for taking notes as you progress through the course, it serves as a handy reference that enhances the learning experience.
- Visual recipe section: This interactive recipe section, easily accessible during the class, allows you to view ingredients and instructions at any given moment.
- Passionate teaching and energy: Gordon Ramsay’s teaching style, characterized by contagious passion and energy, makes each class a very interesting and fun experience. His dynamic movements and approach keep the lessons engaging, making it easy to stay enthusiastic about learning.
- Expert guidance: Learning firsthand from a chef of Gordon Ramsay’s caliber is a unique and wonderful experience. The course goes beyond recipes, offering a glimpse into Gordon’s culinary journey and the many techniques he has perfected over time.
Drawbacks of Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClasses
While the courses excel in providing a great cooking foundation, there are some considerations to keep in mind if you are planning on taking the course. Note that these might be more personal preferences, but I found there’s room for improvement in the following areas:
- Subpar subtitles: A notable drawback was the quality of subtitles, with inaccuracies that can be very frustrating. Improving the subtitles could provide a more accurate and enjoyable learning experience for those who rely on them.
- Might not cater to some specific dietary preferences: While some recipes offer vegetarian substitutions, and ingredient substitutions are possible, note that the course isn’t particularly accommodating for those following a vegan lifestyle. It serves as an excellent resource for cooking techniques and professional advice, but if your lifestyle avoids meat and poultry, you may find that this is not the cooking class you’re looking for.
Review conclusion: Are Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClasses worth it?
Enrolling in Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClass series proved to be an enriching experience that went beyond culinary skills, enhancing my cooking skills and overall understanding of the culinary arts. The mix of amazing visuals, immersive music, and Gordon’s passionate teaching created a fun and effective learning atmosphere.
Without a doubt, Gordon Ramsay’s Cooking MasterClass series is a valuable investment for anyone passionate about cooking. The combination of foundational skills, restaurant-inspired recipes, and Ramsay’s mentorship creates an unparalleled learning experience. Despite minor drawbacks, the expert guidance, engaging teaching style, and practical application make these Masterclass series a standout choice for aspiring home chefs.
What sets this MasterClass apart is not just its content but its ability to motivate and inspire. Beyond the traditional approach to cooking classes, this series sparks creativity and a love for the cooking process. My biggest takeaway was not just mastering recipes but understanding the heart and art behind Gordon’s cooking philosophy. The series left me inspired and eager to apply Gordon’s techniques to perfect my cooking abilities.
In essence, investing in Gordon Ramsay’s Masterclass Series is more than acquiring skills; it’s an investment in joy, creativity, and the pure pleasure of cooking.
Don’t just learn to cook; learn to create culinary masterpieces with Gordon Ramsay.
Enroll in the Cooking MasterClass series to elevate your cooking skills and create restaurant-worthy dishes at home!
Try out MasterClass with no risk thanks to their 30-day satisfaction guarantee
