Inside the F1 Garage with Gordon Ramsay: The Chef Brings Fine Dining to Silverstone

This summer commemorates 75 years of Silverstone, the quintessential hub of British motorsport. While the on-track action guarantees intense drama and elevated speeds, Formula 1 is offering a delectable experience behind the scenes, with Gordon Ramsay's culinary creations at the trackside.

For Ramsay, who was raised within minutes from Silverstone and once clandestinely entered the venue as a child after Sunday school, this opportunity represents a full-circle moment. He has returned, this time to the trackside. At the center of the paddock, where engines resonate and champagne is abundant, the culinary experience is receiving a touch of Michelin-star prestige, as Ramsay oversees the food offerings within the F1 Garage — a premium hospitality venue. The dishes, inspired by the race weekend, offer a prime view of the action, appealing to both automotive enthusiasts and culinary aficionados. We interviewed Ramsay before to the British Grand Prix to discuss cuisine, high-speed automobiles, and his preferred teams.

Inside the F11 Garage with Gordon Ramsay

What was your initial significant 'wow' experience with Formula 1?

I was raised within five minutes from Silverstone, where the sound of the cars could be heard from the nearby roads. In those times, it was not like it is today, and as an eight-year-old, I would clandestinely enter after Sunday school. It has consistently impressed me, from my childhood to the present, as I witness the remarkable pop-up eateries, Ramsay’s Garage, located in pit lanes worldwide.

You are selecting dishes inspired by each Grand Prix; what items are included on the menu?

During the three-day period, we will present three distinct menus, commencing on Friday with our exceptional Asian-inspired offerings from Lucky Cat. The meal included confit duck leg bao and an exquisite zanmai omakase. Saturday's highlights feature my trademark beef Wellington and a delectable traditional afternoon tea meal. On race day Sunday, we will present an exquisite prime roasted rib of beef accompanied by all the traditional accompaniments.

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What is the essence of Silverstone? Are there any local ingredients or references included?

The food is distinctly British, culminating with a quintessentially English, seasonal Eton mess adorned with strawberries.

This type of hospitality constitutes a comprehensive experience, rather than merely a meal. What experience do you intend to cultivate?

A remarkable artisanal traveling restaurant that provides the finest quality in all aspects of our offerings. All aspects of Formula 1 are impressive, hence Ramsay's Garage must also be exceptional.

Do you believe that immersive, multi-sensory eating experiences in such environments represent the future of premium hospitality?

I believe excellent dining is not a novel concept; for me, it has consistently encompassed the entirety of the experience, including the ambiance of the dining room, the texture of the carpet, the music, the lighting, and the heft of the napkins, cutlery, and glassware. All experiences are very sensory. Subsequently, one incorporates the service, characterized by exceptional attention to detail from the initial greeter to the conclusion of the experience. All elements contribute to the overall experience.

Upon departing F1 Garage, what do you aspire for guests to retain most vividly: the automobiles, the cuisine, or the ambiance?

There is no singular element; it will ultimately be the entirety of the day's experience. The cacophony, the vehicles, the tangible exhilaration in the atmosphere. I hope they find the cuisine exceptional, enhancing an already remarkable day.

Is there an aspect of race day that you secretly find exhilarating – the grid walk, the tire strategy, or the tumult in the pit?

The moment when the drivers return to their vehicles following the grid walk. They greet their mechanics with a handshake, the red arrows have departed, the band has concluded, and the atmosphere of anticipation is remarkable. They donned their helmets, lowered their visors, and experienced that almost scary moment when the lights turned red, followed by the exhilarating start - utterly remarkable!

If you could drive any Formula 1 car from history, which one would you choose and why?

The McLaren of Ayrton Senna is the definitive choice. I visited the dealership and saw the authenticity of such cars, noting what was accomplished in the 1990s without modern technology and with a manual transmission – it is truly remarkable!

RESERVE NOW: Gordon Ramsay at F1® Garage 3-Days, contact +44 203 770 3909