'Cook-off' at Newton: Ramsay loses to S’pore hawkers

SINGAPORE — Singapore hawkers beat Mr Gordon Ramsay in their much anticipated “cook-off” at the Newton Food Centre yesterday, but the Michelin-star chef won over local hearts with his version of the chilli crab, and then declared that he was “actively looking” to open a restaurant here.

Mr Ryan Koh from 328 Katong Laksa beat Mr Ramsay by the biggest margin — 19 per cent of the votes — while Mdm Foo Kui Lian from Tian Tian Chicken Rice won by 6 per cent.

Mr Ramsay’s chilli crab beat Jumbo Seafood Restaurant’s Ang Kiam Meng’s dish by 5 per cent.

There were 1,000 voters, and each cast their vote for all three dishes.

Hundreds of fans had queued outside the hawker centre from as early as 11am to get a slice of the action — and a taste of the dishes up for the vote. At about 9pm, the results of SingTel’s Hawker Heroes Challenge were announced, and the winners were the local hawkers.

Mr Ramsay was gracious in defeat, hugging Mdm Foo after it was announced that she had beaten him.

He likened his overall score to his old school report card, saying: “Not bad, but can do better”.

He said he was in “absolute awe” of the hawkers, and was humbled by how they welcomed him into their kitchens and taught him to cook. “Tonight is their night,” he said.

Mr Ramsay said he “cannot wait” to open a restaurant in Singapore.

“And if you think I’m going to bring some fancy French food to Singapore, there would be a riot,” he laughed. “I’ve learned a lot here; I haven’t stopped learning.” Alex Westcott