The home of Ferrari, at Maranello in Italy, is used to hosting distinguished visitors. This week, in the form of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, another pair of famous and flamboyant feet walked through its doors.
Most people will recognise Gordon Ramsay for his fiery temper, colourful language, and yet masterful way with food. His recipe books, restaurants and television programmes, including Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares must certainly have done much to credit his bank balance, if not his demeanour and temper. This is so much so that he is also a Ferrari owner, which may not be one of the more recognised facts about the man. As well as being a driver of a car from the inestimable marque, he showed this week that he certainly is a connoisseur of the prancing horse as he accepted an invitation to visit the Ferrari estate in Italy.
It appears that he was actually on his best behaviour though as he toured the headquarters and took in all the sights, smells and sounds that the trip had to offer. A full tour of the production facility initiated him into the way that the legend that is a Ferrari car comes together. It is certain that he was suitably impressed by the way these master craftsmen blend together the unique ingredients which form the delectable pièce de resistance on four wheels. He showed his appreciation for their creations at the end of the tour by signing autographs for a number of employees. One lucky staff member even had her overall inscribed. No doubt that is a uniform which will enter her personal hall of fame at home.
The essence of how to make a successful Ferrari was then savoured further by Ramsay as he visited the museum, which clearly shows how the recipe for these supreme cars has been crystallised through the history of the marque.
The Ferrari kitchen of course demanded its own attention by the restaurateur. Luckily Gordon showed his best side and complimented the Italian chefs with a sprinkling of bellisimo amongst his praise.
No trip of the Ferrari compound would be complete without a flip on the track. To a Ferrari owner, this must be the epitome of joy, following the twists and pounding down the straights of your own private Ferrari racecourse. Even for someone used to be in the limelight, a photo session at the end of the day provided Gordon with a suitable souvenir of the day’s outing.