17/09/2025
TWENTY-ONE years ago I had a tip-off that the celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay was filming in Abergavenny, minutes from the district newspaper office I was based in at the time.
I was immediately dispatched by the Newsdesk to get an exclusive scoop for the next edition of the South Wales Argus and Abergavenny Free Press.
As a trainee reporter it was exhilarating to follow my lead and approach the star, portrayed on TV as 'mean, moody and a terror in the kitchen', for an interview on the town’s high Street.
My-then colleague and photographer, Nick Morrish dashed from our head office in Newport to meet me.
We approached Gordon, who was as sweet as pie and happily broke into his tight schedule to give a quick interview and allow Nick to take the perfect exclusive photos.
It was exhilarating to see the photo’s and interview in print the following day and a feeling I’ll never forget. Even today, seeing your name in print is still as rewarding as ever.
It was apt that Gordon talked about the Abergavenny Food Festival which is now in its 27th year and takes place this weekend.
Praising the world-famous event, Mr Ramsay said in the interview that the festival, which is fast-becoming one of the biggest culinary events on the Welsh calendar, is 'paramount' to the food industry.
He said: “It’s a great festival. Unfortunately I haven’t been to one due to commitments but I will try and attend next year.”
I’m looking forward to this year’s event which has a fantastic line-up, including Matt Tebbutt, Becky Excell and Cyrus Todiwala OBE.
Are you going this weekend and who are you looking forward to seeing?
Gordon Ramsay Nick Morrish