Showbiz

Gordon Ramsay's Melbourne restaurants close down

Published Monday, Aug 22 2011, 04:01 BST | By Rebecca Davies | 1 comment

Gordon Ramsay's Australian restaurants have closed down.

maze and maze Grill, which the Hell's Kitchen chef opened in Melbourne's Crown Metropol Hotel last year, reportedly made more than $14 million (£9 million) in 2009 but were placed in the hands of liquidators HLB Mann Judd yesterday.

Ramsay's business Gordon Ramsay Holdings Ltd has been experiencing financial problems since his father-in-law Christopher Hutcheson was sacked as CEO last October, reports the Herald Sun.

"Since the recent change in management at GRH, we have been conducting business reviews of all of our group operations," a spokesperson for the TV star said.

"The decision has been taken to put maze and maze Grill, Melbourne, into liquidation as we have concluded that the business is not sustainable. Unfortunately, this course has become the only option as it is essential to focus on the health of the wider group."

Ramsay was scheduled to fly to Australia to visit the eateries later this year, but has now cancelled his trip. His popularity in the country is believed to have dwindled since he verbally attacked television journalist Tracy Grimshaw in 2009.

He caused outrage when he called Grimshaw a "lesbian" and an "ugly old pig" at a public food show. Although Ramsay later apologised for his comments, Grimshaw labelled him as an "arrogant narcissist bully".

Watch Tracy Grimshaw's interview with Gordon Ramsay below: