23 November 2020
Location of new Gordon Ramsay cookery school in Woking announced
The location of world famous chef Gordon Ramsay's eagerly-anticipated new cookery school has been revealed.
The popular TV personality and Michelin-starred chef, who launched award-winning series Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, is planning to open The Gordon Ramsay Academy in Woking next year.
A notice on its website reads: "Our fabulous facility in Woking is now under new ownership and will be opening as the Gordon Ramsay Academy in 2021.
"Tante Marie Culinary Academy is no longer running courses. However, we still act as an important champion of our graduates who enjoy successful careers in food around the world."
It will support those looking to step into the hospitality industry by offering them a place to hone their skills, alongside real work experience, within Ramsay's portfolio of restaurants.
Students will be offered the chance to complete their studies with a guaranteed job at the group, and its advanced courses will help chefs already in the industry to improve their knowledge and skills.
Ramsay has numerous restaurants in London and seven Michelin stars across the globe, with international eateries in Europe, the US and Asia, according to Gordon Ramsay Restaurants.
Ramsay already knew the Woking site well because he once co-owned Tante Marie Culinary Academy which closed last year following financial difficulties.
About Tante Marie
Tante Marie Culinary Academy was founded in 1954 by the acclaimed cookery writer Iris Syrett and provided "top-class chef training and cookery classes to those passionate about food".
The school, which occupied two floors in the council-owned Alexander House, moved from Carlton Road in Horsell, to its town centre premises in Commercial Way in 2015.
It offered state-of-the-art facilities, including a demonstration theatre, professional training kitchens, a theory classroom and a training restaurant, which opened in April 2015.
The Restaurant at Tante Marie, situated on the ground floor, was staffed by graduates of its famous Cordon Bleu Diploma course. However, the award-winning project was abandoned two years later.
Former students include Lyndy Redding, founder of Absolute Taste; TV presenter Harriet Eastwood; and Neil Rankin, formerly head chef at Pitt Cue and executive chef for Noble Inns where he launched the Smokehouse restaurants.
'A boost for Woking'
Councillor Ann-Marie Barker, who represents the Goldsworth Park ward, said the cookery school will be a "great addition" to Woking and will bring new people into the town.
Speaking to SurreyLive, she said: "It was a real disappointment when the Tante Marie closed down because the council had helped the business to get into that place - a lot of council investment went into it."
She added: "It's great to see that it will be picked up again. It will be a great addition to the town and having Gordon Ramsay's name attached to it is fantastic, as he has a well-known, successful brand."
Cllr Will Forster, who represents the Hoe Valley ward, echoed Cllr Barker's sentiments, adding: "I am pleased to hear the Gordon Ramsay Academy will be opening next year.
"Woking town centre has been a building site for some time, which has hurt footfall in our town. Moreover, the coronavirus pandemic has meant most businesses have been closed for a considerable period and they have had much less visitors when they are open.
"Having The Gordon Ramsay Academy in Woking will be a boost for Woking, when we really need it."
Credit: Surrey Live
