Night of the Gordon blue…
GORDON Ramsay screeched his way into the record books on Friday night with the greatest number of expletives in one show.
Helping him to reach the dubious landmark (312 in 103 minutes) were Sheffield restaurateur Justin Rowntree and head chef Richie Russell, who featured alongside the foul-mouthed celebrity in Gordon's Great British Nightmare, the C4 documentary.
But as the fall-out continued this week, the pair were unrepentant: "It's the nature of the industry," said Justin, who clocked up a mere two f-words.
"Richie might have had some outbursts but that's because he was close to the edge. He's actually one of the politest people I know, he doesn't swear in front of us or the customers – but put him in the kitchen and turn up the heat and the pressure creates that reaction."
It is perhaps a testament to Ramsay's intervention that Justin was speaking up so vehemently in his friend's defence.
The relationship had been tested to breaking point by the financial troubles of the erstwhile Runaway Girl club in Arundel Street. But the TV makeover which transformed it into Silversmiths restaurant last summer has apparently revitalised the friendship, too.
"Six months later we're a totally united team. We watched the programme together and we can now laugh at the state we were in," said Justin.
In fact the restaurant was closed for the night – and filled instead with family, friends and a giant-size television screen.
"There was nowhere to hide! But it was a bit like watching a home movie, because we were among all the other people who were involved in supporting us."
So was it embarrassing to watch yourself being laid bare in front of three million viewers? "There were a few times when I felt quite forlorn and I wondered why I didn't speak up for myself. But I don't feel bad about that because I was putting my ego to one side and taking it on the chin. I knew Gordon was here to help me."
The proof of the pudding, as they say, must be in the fact that the 'modern Yorkshire' formula is working and Silversmiths seems to be firmly on the road to success.
The restaurant's new website, launched to coincide with Friday's screening, had nearly 5,000 hits in just 24 hours. By Saturday morning there were 85 voicemail messages and another 70 on Sunday. The Tuesday 'pie nights' introduced at Ramsay's suggestion are booked out on a weekly basis.
This week Justin and girlfriend Donna have been recognised by taxi drivers and shop assistants as they went about their routine and Ritchie was asked to pose for photos by admiring customers.
"It was emotional at the time but it's been worth every minute," says Justin. "We're really confident about what we can do. Now it's up to us to make sure it's not just a flash in the pan."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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