Gordon Ramsay MasterClass Review [2023 Upd.] Worth Buying?

Last Updated on June, 2023

I’d have given ANYTHING to learn cooking from Chef Ramsay.

This was the background when I ran into Gordan Ramsay’s MasterClass. For me, it was one of the fastest decisions I have ever taken — and it paid off WELL.

But if you’re more of an inspect-before-buy person, even if it’s Ramsay who’s teaching cooking, you’re in the right place.

At the time of writing this review, I have watched almost all the videos a couple of times, and I even remember a memorable quote he said,

“I don’t like looking back; I’m always constantly looking forward.”

And THAT, my friend, is contagious motivation from a legend.

So, let me tell you everything about Gordan Ramsay MasterClass, and you can decide it yourself at the end.

Summary: Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClass

I know you’ll want to read all of this, but just to give a quick snapshot, here’s what you’ll find in Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClass.

Outline of what you will learn:

• How to manage the layout of your kitchen 
• How to master the use of vegetables, herbs, fish, shellfish
• How to use your knives like a Michelin-star-certified chef
• Several fundamental cooking ‘methods’ applicable to countless dishes
• About 20 iconic, and scrumptious dishes Gordon Ramsay is recognized for
• And Gordon Ramsay’s cooking secrets he shares throughout the series

There are two parts, Part I is called ‘Gordon Ramsay teaches cooking I,’ and the second is ‘Gordon Ramsay teaches cooking II: Restaurant Recipes at Home.’

Part I has 20 lessons that run for 3 hours and 54 minutes, and part II runs for 4 hours and 14 minutes.

Recommended for: Part I is dedicated to anyone who wants to learn cooking basics from a legend. Part II is for any experienced chef who wants to cook Chef Gordon’s amazing recipes.

Quick summary — You could still learn a thing or two from part I, even if you’re an experienced cook. But both courses deliver a lot with that superior MasterClass production quality. It’s almost ASMR to listen to Gordon’s excited voice teach you some classy cooking.

About Gordon Ramsay, and Why is He on MasterClass?

Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking: Outline

Gordon Ramsay MasterClass Video Lessons

MasterClass is recognized for its videos. I remember being blown away by the concluding sentence of the trailer — “This Is MasterClass.”

MasterClass lives up to the hype and recognition in the culinary arts section.

I’m sure you have watched so many cooking videos on YouTube, but I assure you that it won’t be the same with MasterClass.

The angles, the video quality, the location, the lighting, and all the subtle details make Gordon Ramsay MasterClass a delight to watch.

But the secret ingredient is the man, the legend, Chef Gordon Ramsay.

The way he delivers every recipe is very, very engaging. I’m sure you’re familiar with his energetic approach, and it’s contagious — you’ll LOVE cooking with the maestro.

Each video varies between 6-25 minutes as they’re cooking videos, and there are two main courses; Gordon Ramsay teaches Cooking I and Gordan Ramsay teaches Cooking II: Restaurant Recipes At Home.

The first course consists of 20 videos that run for 3 hours and 54 minutes. The ‘Restaurant Recipes At Home’ runs for 4 hours and 14 minutes across 15 lessons.

Note that these lessons are either recipes or how-to secrets in handling different raw materials and overall kitchen management. 

The lessons cover a wide range of topics, such as selecting the right ingredients, mastering basic cooking skills, preparing and cooking seafood, making pasta from scratch, and much more.

Just to give a quick idea, here’s how these videos work on the interface.

I’ll explain each of these when I discuss the two courses in detail. 

Let’s move to the coursebook.

Gordon Ramsay MasterClass Workbook

All courses in MasterClass come with a workbook. This PDF workbook is printable and complements any course heavily. 

It contains added notes, step-by-step instructions, and additional resources for each lesson. The content is phenomenal, and I’ll give you a better look when I discuss my experience with Gordon Ramsay MasterClass.

For now, take a look at how aesthetic Gordon Ramsay’s workbook looks. This is from his second course.

The workbook is a valuable resource that students can use to review the lessons, take notes, and practice the techniques they learn. 

That’s why it brings so much value. 

The cherry on top is how Gordon has included some of his personal recipes as well. These aren’t explained in the videos; these are the gifts for Ramsay’s fans.

Access to MasterClass Community

The MasterClass community brings together like-minded people who want to go the extra mile for knowledge.

I initially thought that this was a common community. But no, every single video has that. How cool is that? 

You’ll find THIS as you scroll down all the way to the bottom of a video’s page.

Once you ‘join the discussion,’ you can share your thoughts, make friends, and ask important questions.

Unfortunately, Gordon Ramsay won’t be there to answer your questions. But there is a dedicated MasterClass team who will always be there.

It’s amazing how friendly the MasterClass community is; I wished Twitter was something like that.

Access to the Full MasterClass Course Library 

When you get access to the Gordon Ramsay MasterClass, you ALSO get full access to ALL the 180 courses across 11 unique categories for absolutely FREE.

You might already know that some of these contain more cooking MasterClasses, writing, marketing, fashion, and even dog training.

Guest Passes

What if you knew someone interested in MasterClass but didn’t want to pay a penny at first to check it out? 

That’s why the guest passes from MasterClass exist.

You can send these to your selected recipients to their emails, and they will have completely free access to MasterClass for 14 days. However, they will have to enter their card details, but MasterClass won’t charge them if they cancel before the 14 days run out.

Luckily, I got three and used them wisely for my friends.

Top Reasons Why People Love Gordon Ramsay MasterClass Courses

Let’s be honest; the first reason will ALWAYS be the celebrity factor of Gordon Ramsay. The man has his own unique brand, and it’s so amazing. People might love him or hate him, but they all know he’s a legend.

The second reason is the production quality of the videos. 

It feels like these are almost from a movie with all the details, angles, and even lighting. Because of that, it’s very appealing and easy to watch.

The third reason has to be the comprehensive approach to cooking. The first course completes the fundamentals, more or less, along with several other important areas (which I’ll discuss further later.)

Gordon never sticks to one set of ingredients. As a start chef, he understands that some people might not be able to find some ingredients. 

Additionally, some have specific allergies and dietary requirements, and restrictions as well — Chef Gordon Ramsay addresses all these issues, and that’s admirable.

The workbook definitely plays a crucial role. The book has so many details that Gordon would want you to take down. Because of that, all you need to do is continue cooking.

The icing on this cake is the 360 degrees approach to cooking; hygiene, cooking management, and all these non-cooking practical advice go a very long way. Chef Ramsay understands that and gives a very clear understanding.

I’m sure there are more reasons, but hey, isn’t even this enough?

What Should You Have Before Starting Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClass?

Chef Gordon Ramsay’s need to work with a minimal number of ingredients is admirable, and he does it every single time. 

So, what are the essentials for Gordon Ramsay’s cooking courses?

1. A reliable knife set
2. Proper cutting board
3. A couple of non-sticking pans
4. A knife steel
5. A piece of cloth
6. A toaster

And that’s it.

Gordon is one of the minimalistic chefs, and the value of his personal brand is well emphasized there. So, rest assured, none of the dishes require fancy knives or unusual cooking pans.

Now it’s time to dive into the real core of Chef Ramsay MasterClass; the two courses.

Gordon Ramsay MasterClass In-Detail (Part I and II)

Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking I 

At a glance, this is the breakdown of the course,

1. Introduction
2. Gordon’s Journey: Learning from Masters
3. Method: Kitchen Layout
4. Mastering Ingredients: Vegetables & Herbs 
5. Make: Poached Egg & Mushrooms on Brioche
6. Method: Knife Skills
7. Make: Elevated Scrambled Eggs
8. Method: Breaking Down a Whole Chicken
9. Make: Chicken Suprême with Root Vegetables
10. Mastering Ingredients: Fish & Shellfish
11. Gordon’s Journey: Becoming a Master
12. Method: Breaking Down a Whole Fish
13. Make: Salmon with Shellfish Minestrone
14. Method: Making Pasta Dough
15. Method: Rolling Pasta Dough
16. Make: Lobster Ravioli
17. Mastering Ingredients: Beef, Lamb & Pork
18. Make: Beef Wellington
19. Advice for Life
20. Closing 

Allow me to tell you what each of these lessons communicates roughly so you’ll know what to expect.

We can divide the course into three areas such as method lessons, make lessons, mastering ingredients lessons, and lastly, the other lessons.

But let’s start from the top.

The introduction video starts with a special moment from MasterChef Junior in season 4, and I happened to remember that! I remember that because a cute little one got COMPLIMENTED by Chef Ramsay so much.

You know how rare that is.

And, then Gordon’s MasterClass starts officially — and yes, he did swear.

In the first video, he tells you what he’d teach; everything he has learned, understood, grabbed, perfected, and even stolen.

But Gordon’s prime advice? “Watch, but watch f***ing carefully.”

The second video is all about his journey to the present glory. It’s inspiring, and Gordon’s a storyteller, and I want you to experience it first-hand — so, no spoilers!

Now, let’s look at the 6 lessons of the Method series in part I of Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClass.

It’s truly amazing how your kitchen’s layout affects your overall efficiency. It might not be the advice you’re looking for, but it’s the cooking advice you need.

The knife skills video is super impressive. Gordon carefully covers how to chop fast, the proper way of chopping a shallot, how to safely chop up awkward vegetables, and even how to sharpen a knife.

I’d be lying if I didn’t say it reminded me to restock knives.

Struggling to break down a whole kitchen is common (or, at least, that’s how I used to tell myself). But I significantly improved watching that video, and he’s right; carcass does make great soup.

But I noticed a significant difference between the chicken video and how to break down a whole fish. Gordon focused a lot, and the time-slider even has a bookmark for portioning, and you can see how he handles his knives so carefully.

The two pasta-related lessons were definitely very interesting. Apparently, Gordon learned these techniques back in Italy, and that’s what he teaches you.

I personally think the camera angles do magic too. For example, look at this moment when Gordon says how to hold the form when pouring eggs; every little detail matters.

What does the Mastering series bring to the table?

The first one talks about vegetables and herbs. I found this to be quite informative, and I wanted to take notes. Luckily, every video has a special tab for you to take notes. 

In this 16 minutes and 42 seconds long video, Chef Ramsay dives deep into the subject. The guidebook only elevates the experience.

It’ll be incredibly useful to beginners as Gordon explains how to check the ripeness and freshness of vegetables and how to understand the flavor categories of herbs. A special tip from Snoop Dogg awaits you in this video.

Yeah, you heard me right.

Chef Gordon Ramsay’s mastering seafood video is the BEST video to begin cooking fish. He’s very careful and thorough about each detail. To pinpoint, you’ll learn about:

• How to confirm the freshness of the fish
• How to store scallops to make them sear ideally
• How to choose the instances where farmed salmon is suitable
• What to ask of your fishmonger

And this list goes on.

Just look at the quality of the video below.

Gordon’s MasterClass has another important factor that complements his level of detail; justification. No matter what he does, he tells you why, and that’s why this cooking MasterClass gives you all the practical knowledge to grow from.

Although I’m not the biggest fan of pasta (I know, big surprise), I wanted to test out pasta recipes as well. 

The two videos are filled with so much practical tips compared to other videos. It’s probably because Chef Ramsay wants you to experience authentic Italian pasta. 

He even teaches you how pasta should look in each stage and even how it should feel. Regardless of how experienced you are, I’m sure these tips are useful.

There are six recipes in the Make series in the first MasterClass of Gordon. These are signature and extremely popular dishes that Gordon specializes in.

If you have followed any of his cooking shows, you should know how passionate he is about the Beef Wellington. The steps are clear and concise, as always, and I personally felt very accomplished after finishing it.

Not the best, but great for the first time.

But dealing with elevated scrambled eggs was much easier compared to the beef Wellington. I love how Gordon doesn’t make it just another how-to lesson for scrambled eggs.

You’ll learn how to strengthen egg whites, luxury ingredient pairings for eggs, and even unconventional ways to cook eggs.

Before I wind up this part of the review, I want to emphasize how the MasterClass platform itself makes it easier for you to follow even the Ravioli recipe. See how the ingredients are on the side. On the left, there are the instructions too.

So, rest assured; you never have to worry about keeping up; everything is there in the written format too.

With all the methods, mastering techniques, and recipes, Gordon comes to the end to share life advice with you. I could tell you everything or even give the gist, but I want you to experience it.

But I will show you this moment from that video (censored for obvious reasons.)

Being up close and personal with Gordon Ramsay changes your life, and remember what I said when you finish watching the first MasterClass course by this legend.

With that covered, let’s jump to the serious business; Gordon Ramsay teaches cooking II.

Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking II: Restaurant Recipes at Home

That’s what makes MasterClass so special.

Here are the dishes he teaches in the second course:

1. Red Wine Poached Egg, Asparagus, and Mushrooms
2. Crispy Duck with Red Endive and Spinach
3. Pomme Purée
4. Cauliflower Steak, Olives, and Mushrooms
5. Rack of Lamb with Thumbelina Carrots
6. Roasted Eggplant With Basil and Feta
7. Grilled Baby Leeks, Miso Broth, and Caviar Vinaigrette
8.  Szechuan Roasted Whole Chicken
9. Hoisin Chicken and Pickled Daikon
10. Szechuan Chicken Breast and Udon Noodles
11. Sesame Crusted Tuna With Cucumber Salad
12. Fried Branzino With Thai Chili Lettuce Cups
13.  Raspberry Soufflé

I won’t talk too much about these dishes, but I noticed how so many reviewers have missed this part.

Let’s talk about some of them so you get an idea.

The first recipe is dedicated to teaching how to perfectly poach eggs in red wine, which gives them a rich and unique flavor.

Add asparagus and mushrooms to that, and it’s a healthy dish. One unique tip Gordon shares are to add a splash of vinegar to the poaching water to help the eggs hold their shape.

Pomme purée, or mashed potatoes, is a staple in French cuisine, and Chef Gordon Ramsay teaches how to make the perfect version. He uses a combination of butter and cream to create a rich and velvety texture and adds roasted garlic for extra flavor. 

Let me show how amazing this dish looks when Gordon cooks it; his question is answered by this moment.

I love lamb, so the Rack of Lamb with Thumbelina Carrots was a unique dish for me. He shows how to season and sear the lamb, then finish it in the oven for tender and juicy meat. He then pairs the lamb with Thumbelina carrots, a petite variety with a sweet flavor. 

Chef Gordon Ramsay uses baby leeks in this elegant dish to create a delicate and flavorful appetizer. He grills the leeks to add a smoky flavor, then serves them in a savory miso broth with a caviar vinaigrette for added richness.

You’ll love how he uses the blanching technique to make leeks more tender.

Hoisin Chicken and Pickled Daikon is special; it’s an Asian-inspired dish, and Chef Ramsay makes it look easy — but it’s worth the effort once you make it right. 

You will learn how to marinate chicken in hoisin sauce with technique, just as much as how to make pickled daikon for a refreshing crush. This is a good moment to show you the impressive coursebook for this MasterClass.

This coursebook is almost 100 pages long, and the amount of detail and elaboration is admirable. I know how some say that the second MasterClass is for somewhat experienced people, but you will be able to get it done.

The instructions are so clear.

Not only that, but you also get a ‘recipe’ timeline for all the dishes. The below is for the Hoisin Chicken And Pickled Daikon.

This little detail would have been beyond perfect if there were average time duration per each stage.

From the classic French pomme purée to the bold flavors of Szechuan roasted whole chicken, Ramsay shares his expertise in cooking with precision and attention to detail.

His emphasis on proper seasoning, timing, and plating highlights the importance of mastering the basics to achieve impressive results. 

Basically, it’s worth the investment.

Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClass Cost

There isn’t a separate cost for Chef Ramsay’s MasterClass — you get access to the MasterClass platform, which means you get access to Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClasses along with the rest of the course library.

You get access to the platform as annual subscriptions that are billed and renewed annually. Here’s how the plans work.

Individual Plan

The individual plan is made specifically for single people who want to enjoy MasterClass independently. 

You get one MasterClass account, and you are eligible to watch MasterClass videos on one designated device. That’s how all plans differ — full access to everything, but the accessible number of devices changes.

There is one catch of the individual plan that pushes most people (including me) to go for the duo plan, and I’ll explain it shortly.

The monthly cost of the individual plan is $15, which is billed annually at $180.

Duo Plan

If you are a couple in any way as two best friends, engaged, or even married without kids, the Duo plan is for you.

With access to one account (as applicable for all plans), MasterClass lets you watch its videos on two devices simultaneously. That way, you don’t have to worry about who paused which video at what time stamp.

But the most important difference between the individual and the duo plans is not the device accessibility; it’s offline viewing.

Duo plan lets you download and watch MasterClass videos just like Netflix. This is not available in the individual plan.

The Duo plan’s monthly investment is $20, which is only a $5 increment from the individual plan. It is billed annually at $240.

Family Plan

Who doesn’t want a family that grows together? There are thousands of such, and that’s why the Family plan exists.

The family plan is ideal not only for the family but even for a group of friends who are thirsty for knowledge. 

Similar to the other two subscriptions, you get access to one MasterClass account in the family plan. However, you can link up to 6 devices and watch MasterClass videos simultaneously.

It also lets you download MasterClass videos for offline viewing as well.

MasterClass family plan comes at $23 per month ($3 increment from the duo plan), billed annually at $276.

That’s all about the Gordon Ramsay MasterClass cost; let’s look at the refund policy next.

Gordon Ramsay MasterClass Refund Policy

You get 30 days to reconsider if you feel like the investment is not worth the money. You can cancel it yourself and get a refund.

But it’s essential to remember that you can’t get a refund after 30 days. You can only cancel the annual renewing membership. Even if you do, you’ll have access to MasterClass for that entire year.

Here’s how to do it:

Log into your account at www.MasterClass.com and go to the profile menu. There, you will find ‘settings’ in the right-hand corner. Click it and scroll down to account settings. There you will find the cancel membership button under the membership section.

Click that, and you’re out of MasterClass.

My Experience With Gordon Ramsay MasterClass

If you have been carefully reading so far, you’d know that I’m sharing my personal thoughts as I reveal what’s inside the courses.

At a glance, this entire review is my experience with Gordon Ramsay MasterClass.

I went with the Duo Plan (which I’ll explain shortly) because both my partner and I wanted to learn cooking from Gordon. We started learning from the introduction video itself.

The video production quality is mind-blowing; it feels like a movie, and that’s the best way to explain that feeling. I loved how the time-slider for each video had bookmarks of sections. That way, you can quickly catch up.

The video quality is adjustable between 360p and 1080p. If not, you should understand it consumes a considerable amount of data. The adjustability of the playback speed from 0.5x to 2x is also useful.

You know how fast Gordon works, so don’t feel bad if you want to slow down; I did it too!

The way Chef Gordon Ramsay teaches throughout the course has brought out his ‘teacher’ persona. It wasn’t the yelling and angry man people know him as. It was a passionate Chef teaching passionate students.

I love detailed books, and the workbook provided by MasterClass was a clear delight. The level of detailing is phenomenal. It’s not exaggerating to say that these printable books bring more value to Ramsay’s MasterClass courses.

Chef Ramsay gives you a lot of alternative ingredients, and it’s such a relief. It’s not always about dietary requirements but also the cost too. 

I didn’t expect Gordon to use the same cooking I use.

When I was done with Ramsay’s MasterClass, I explored the platform, and it was an absolute delight. You can learn about writing, filmmaking, fashion, business, and even space exploration from celebrity experts.

As per room for improvement, it would have been better if the cooking timeline (on workbooks) had specifications. I’m nitpicking when I say I noticed a few typos in the workbooks. Finally, some recipes on the second MasterClass are hard to follow up.

But when all things considered, Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClass is a 4.9/5 investment.

Alternatives to Gordan Ramsay’s Cooking MasterClass

Let’s say you want more, and MasterClass understood that need before you. Here are some of the alternative cooking courses in MasterClass:

• Niki Nakayama: Teaches Japanese Cooking
• Yotam Ottolenghi: Teaches Middle Eastern Cuisine
• Thomas Keller:
  • Teaches Cooking Techniques 1 – Vegetables, Pasta, and Eggs
  • Teaches Cooking Techniques 2 – Meats, Stocks, and Sauces
  • Teaches Cooking Techniques 3 – Seafood, Sous Vide, and Desserts
• Wolfgang Puck: Teaches Cooking
• Aaron Franklin: Teaches Texas-Style BBQ
• Dominique Ansel: Teaches French Pastry Fundamentals
• Apollonia Poilâne: Teaches Bread Baking
• Massimo Bottura: Teaches Modern Italian Cooking 
• Gabriela Cámara: Teaches Mexican Cooking
• Alice Waters: Teaches the Art of Home Cooking

Gordon Ramsay Masterclass: Customer Testimonials

Although there are hundreds of positive comments, let me show you some. 

This one was from a recommendation review done by Creator Louis here.

There are 82 who agree with the comment, and receiving this endorsement from a person with 30+ years of cooking experience proves its worth. 

Victor points out its value again. Remember that Chef Ramsay gives more than enough ingredient alternatives.

Below is the answer to the Quora question, “Is Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClass Worth it?”

Andrew gives proves how Ramsay’s MasterClass can take you from beginner to a pro, and I agree.

But what do I think? Is it worth buying?

Is Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClass Worth Buying?

Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClass comes in two classes; one for beginners and one for experienced chefs or cooks. So, it’s for everyone. On top of that, with free access to the entire MasterClass library, Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClass is very much worth it.

Pros and Cons: Gordon Teaches Cooking MasterClass

Read my overall MasterClass review.

Gordon Ramsay MasterClass Review: In Conclusion 

Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClass courses elevated how I felt about him; the man is a living legend.

All the tips, hacks, restaurant recipes, pep talks, and content in the coursebooks, and that authenticity, makes Chef Ramsay’s MasterClass priceless. I believe these two courses impacted my life and my partner’s for sure. 

It’s such a sensible investment in all aspects. Remember, you’ll get access to EVERYTHING else on MasterClass too.

I hope this MasterClass review helped you see the value of Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClass. Happy cooking!

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