Gordon Ramsay's rant shocks food show audience

Chef Gordon Ramsay (R) says his comments about journalist Tracy Grimshaw (L) were a joke and he finds it 'hard to believe' people were offended by them. Photos / Getty Images

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay says he is surprised people were offended by comments he made about an Australian journalist yesterday.

During a cooking session at the Good Food and Wine Show in Melbourne, he reportedly likened a doctored picture of a woman with the features of a pig and multiple breasts, to television journalist Tracy Grimshaw.

"I had an interview with her yesterday - holy crap," Ramsay continued.

"She needs to see Simon Cowell's Botox doctor."

Mebourne's Herald Sun reported that the audience - which included women and children - responded to Ramsay's comments with gasps, but that he continued to make jokes at Grimshaw's expense.

Women's groups and members of the public yesterday expressed disgust, saying Ramsay's words were sexist and demeaning.

The executive producer of A Current Affair - the show Grimshaw interviewed Ramsay for - also said the chef had gone too far.

"We know Gordon Ramsay sets out to shock, but if what we're being told is true, we're very surprised and frankly, though it's plainly a joke, it's out of order," Grant Williams told the Herald Sun.

But Ramsay is unrepentant and told the paper he found it "hard to believe" anyone was offended by his comments.

"Christ, this is a resilient, tenacious country full of excitement and buoyancy. I never thought of anyone in Australia having to be wrapped up in cotton wool," he said.

Ramsay's spokeswoman Sarah Armstrong earlier told the Herald Sun that Ramsay respected Grimshaw as a journalist and that the two had a "great relationship".

- NZ HERALD STAFF