‘Hell’s Kitchen’ chef provokes Catholic complaints in Australia

Adelaide, Australia, May 7, 2008 / 00:45 am

The Catholic Diocese of Adelaide has voiced its displeasure with the foul-mouthed television chef, Gordon Ramsay, saying his expletive-filled reality television shows should be either taken off the air or shown at a later time.

The diocese’s complaint came during an inquiry in the Australian Senate, which was prompted by British chef Gordon Ramsay’s behavior in his television shows “Kitchen Nightmares” and “Hell’s Kitchen.”

The Courier Mail reports that one recently broadcast episode shows Ramsay using a four-letter expletive more than 80 times and shouting “You French pig” at a chef.

In a statement to the parliamentary inquiry the Diocese of Adelaide said, “There can be no excuse for vilification of this sort. We conclude that this episode should never have been aired on Australian television.”

The inquiry has received more than 50 public submissions, of which the overwhelming majority favor tighter regulation and calls to censor Ramsay, the Courier Mail reports.

Two of Ramsay’s shows are broadcast in Australia at 8:30 pm, while “Hell’s Kitchen,” in which contestants compete to win a restaurant, airs at 9:30 pm.  The shows regularly attract more than 1 million Australian viewers, but have also attracted complaints the shows are broadcast when children may be watching television.

According to the Scotsman, Ramsay’s spokesman has stated the chef was “hopping mad” about the controversy and had called the Australian Senate to complain. 

The chef’s plans to open a restaurant on Sydney Harbor were also recently rejected by the on the grounds of decency.

Senator Drew Stockman addressed the controversy, reportedly saying, “We are not prudes… but we feel that allowing this sweary fellow to bring his bilious obscenities to Sydney's harbor-front is a step in the wrong direction.”