Ramsay dispute with AA director boils over
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Roger Wood, the managing director of the Automobile Association, is embroiled in one of the most bitter spats the restaurant world has ever seen.
The dispute started in March when he was unable to choose his own table at a visit to Gordon Ramsay's Mayfair restaurant, Petrus, but could finish with a High Court injunction preventing the publication of the AA's Restaurant Guide 2003.
The restaurant's management claim that Mr Wood subsequently withdrew a coveted fifth rosette that the restaurant believed it was to have been awarded.They said the rosette was to be awarded in the forthcoming edition of the AA guide.
Simon Wright, the guide's editor, felt he had no option but to resign and a furious Mr Ramsay has launched a court action aimed at having the fifth rosette restored or the guide pulped.
Last night, as the dispute became public and pressure mounted on Mr Wood, he promised to re-examine the restaurant's rating.
He said in a statement: "It may be that my personal views may have been given undue weight in the decision making process about the AA Rosette award for Petrus." He said he had decided to reconvene the Merit Awards Committee to reconsider the restaurant's rating but said nothing about re-appointing Mr Wright.
But the damage to the guide's reputation for impartiality may already have been done. Marcus Wareing, the head chef at Petrus, called on Mr Wood to resign and said the restaurant wanted nothing to do with the 2003 edition unless Mr Wright was re-instated.
Mr Ramsay told the London Evening Standard: "We have proof from three inspectors [that a fifth rosette was to be awarded]. The misconduct on a personal level, on a biased level, is just unbelievable."
Mr Wareing said: "The AA guide is regarded by every chef as a measure of his progress but it has to have integrity. This whole episode has devalued it."
An AA spokeswoman said she could make no comment on the demands, adding that Mr Wright's contractual position was confidential.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments