Culinary Icon Gordon Ramsay Opens First Fine Dining Restaurant in Canada

Gordon Ramsay, the culinary icon, multi-Michelin-starred chef and television star, was on hand along with 200 VIP guests and dignitaries to officially open Gordon Ramsay Steak at River Rock Casino Resort in British Columbia Friday night.

Ramsay’s First Fine Dining Restaurant in Canada

Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair was also on hand for the opening. Sinclair presented Ramsay with a Team Canada soccer jersey and a scarf from the brand-new Vancouver Rise women’s soccer team of the Northern Super League.

The waterfront restaurant is Chef Ramsay’s first fine dining restaurant in Canada. 

I’m blessed to confirm that 85% of our ingredients are sourced locally,” said Ramsay. “That’s quite rare. I fell in love with Richmond and Vancouver B.C. over 20 years ago, and this whole area blew my mind. So, on behalf of the entire Gordon Ramsay team, from Vegas to London to Richmond, it’s very special to be here, and now it’s my turn to help continue this legacy and respect the ground it’s been built on.”

The partnership between Great Canadian Entertainment, which operates the casino resort, and Chef Ramsay was first announced in 2023, with Gordon Ramsay Burger opening at Great Canadian Vancouver in December 2023. That opening was before the steakhouse construction was complete. The 266-seat restaurant is a centrepiece of a renovated lobby at River Rock Casino Resort, located along the scenic Fraser River. 

Salute to Team Canada 4 Nations Face-Off Win

Great Canadian Entertainment CEO Matthew Anfinson and Chief Wayne Sparrow of the Musqueam Indian Band were also hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

This process started about three years ago. Gordon Ramsay has 88 restaurants around the world, and we thought, “why not give Canada a shot? And here we are today,” said Anfinson. 

Ramsay spent time with guests, taking photos, encouraging them to try the restaurant’s specialties, which included Ramsay’s signature dishes like Beef Wellington, Miso Glazed Sablefish and Tuna Tartare, and a tower of fresh seafood including lobster, crab and oysters displayed in a massive ice sculpture. Desserts included his signature Sticky Toffee Pudding. 

A highlight of the evening for attendees was something called “Notes from Gordon”, a cocktail served with a rolled-up note with a punchy message from Ramsay.

200 VIPs Attend Launch Opening

Ramsay even acknowledged Team Canada’s win over Team USA at last week’s 4 Nations Face-Off with his comments. During the day, before the event, Ramsay spent time in kitchens with his 150-person team, ensuring every menu item and service met the restaurant’s standards. At lunchtime Ramsay hosted an interactive burger-making competition for eight guests at Great Canadian Casino Vancouver.

River Rock Casino Resort features 1,150 slots and e-tables, over 80 live table games, live racebook, poker room, nearly 400 hotel rooms, and a spa. 

Getting to spend time with the chefs, the front of house, back of house, receptionists, waiters… the passion and the desire that’s running this restaurant is just extraordinary,” said Ramsay. “Chefs depend on their brigades, we’re only as good as our brigades.”

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