My Life in Quotes: Gordon Ramsay

At the end of the day, I'm not the only person who swears. I get it off my chest and move on. I've got four amazing kids - I don't go round the house swearing.

On Americans

The problem with Yanks is they are wimps.

On his cosmetic surgery

My mother said they were smile lines. I could deal with that at 21, but not at 42.

On his manners

I have a very assertive way. It's wake up, move your ass, or piss off home.

On chivalry

If any of you guys had called my wife a pig and it was in front of me, I'd punch your lights out.

On vegetarians

My biggest nightmare would be if one of the kids ever came up to me and said, "Dad, I'm a vegetarian." Then I'd sit them on the fence and electrocute them.

On his reputation

People say I'm a monster, but I'm not a monster, I just have to maintain a high standard that people are paying a fortune for. I seem to be the only chef in the country who gets upset when things go wrong.

On spending time in the kitchen

We are about creating a new wave of talent. We are the Manchester United of kitchens now. Am I playing full-time in the kitchen? I am a player-coach.

The 12-part series Ramsay's Best Restaurant, in which the chef picks his favourite eateries nominated by local diners, begins on Tuesday, Channel 4, 9pm.

This article first appeared in Scotland on Sunday, September 12, 2010