Former Hell's Kitchen stars reveal 'fiery bully' Gordon Ramsay's leadership philosophy

Gordon Ramsay's reputation for his heated temper was confirmed by former Hell's Kitchen contestants.

Competitors, including winners Michael Wray and Ariel Malone, reflected on the environment that Gordon curated on set of the reality show. One chef underscored that Gordon's alleged behavior dates back to the first season of the show. In an exclusive clip of Vice TV's Dark Side of Reality TV distributed to People , season one and fourth place winner Elsie Ramos dished that "everybody was scared," branding Gordon as a "fiery bully."

Michael claimed that Gordon divulged his own philosophy as a head chef , which was to never praise your employees because "the instant you tell them that is when they stop trying." He also explained that some people were experiencing the kitchen for the first time, adding a different element to the criticism from Gordon. Michael said: "Any of these guys that came on the show that never really worked in a kitchen before, they all took it the same way. They took it personal."

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Tek Moore believed that Gordon's traits were nothing outside the norm of successful chefs while Ariel offered a different side of the story, arguing that Gordon was in a unique position of power. "When you're in karate class, is your sansei a bully or is he your teacher? It's the same thing," she said.

Gordon's more bold approach to the show often stuns viewers as he doesn't shy away from tearing down contestants, unconcerned with whether or not they can handle the heat. In one particularly viral meme, he makes fun of his own on-screen personality during a skit on The Late Late Show with James Corden. Gordon puts a slice of bread on either side of a contestant's head and demands they call themselves an "idiot sandwich."

Despite his willingness to lean into the television persona, he previously claimed that he's much different behind-the-scenes and in his personal life. “The kids have brought the most emotion out of me,” he told People in a previous interview. “It’s funny, isn’t it? Because everyone thinks, ‘God, you must be an absolute a-- to be at home with.’ [But] [my wife] Tana is super fierce, an ex-Montessori school teacher. So I’m the softie.”

Gordon also explained that he doesn't see the world in black-and-white. Instead, he believes that everyone has good and bad within them.