Food & Drink

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay reveals plans for his first North Carolina Ramsay’s Kitchen

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay revealed plans this week for his first North Carolina Ramsay’s Kitchen restaurant.

The multi-Michelin-starred British chef plans to open the restaurant early next year at Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel, near Murphy in the mountains.

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay plans to open his first North Carolina Ramsay’s Kitchen restaurant in early 2025 at Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel, near Murphy in the mountains.
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay plans to open his first North Carolina Ramsay’s Kitchen restaurant in early 2025 at Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel, near Murphy in the mountains. Ramsay's Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay

Ramsay already operates the Gordon Ramsay Food Market at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, with eight cuisine concepts and a full-service restaurant. The market serves burgers and pizzas, sushi, fish and chips, New York-style deli sandwiches and classic fine-dining fare, and has a coffee bar.

Shown is a collage of photos of menu selections at celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s Ramsay’s Kitchen.
Shown is a collage of photos of menu selections at celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s Ramsay’s Kitchen. RAMSAY'S KITCHEN BY GORDON RAMSAY

“I love to customize menus,” Ramsay says

Murphy is 57 miles southwest of Cherokee, about 225 miles west of Charlotte.

“We have seen much success with our food hall over at Harrah’s Cherokee, so we thought we’d bring another option to guests of the region with my long-time partners at Caesars Entertainment,” Ramsay said in a statement Wednesday.

The first Gordon Ramsay Food Market in the United States features seven restaurant concepts, serving a variety of the famed chef’s dishes from breakfast through late night.
The first Gordon Ramsay Food Market in the United States features seven restaurant concepts, serving a variety of the famed chef’s dishes from breakfast through late night. Rendering courtesy of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort

Cherokee is about 52 miles west of Asheville, 165 miles from Charlotte and 295 miles from Raleigh.

“I love to customize menus inspired by my travels but with local influence,” Ramsay said. “And I’m excited to bring that to Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River guests next year.”

Ramsay operates 28 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada and 58 in other countries, including under the brands Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen, Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay, Ramsay’s Kitchen, Gordon Ramsay Steak, Gordon Ramsay Burger, Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza and Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips.

He’s opened other Ramsay’s Kitchen restaurants in Las Vegas, Boston, Oklahoma City, and Naperville, Ill. Menu prices vary by location, with Las Vegas the priciest.

12th-floor view of national forest

Inspired by Ramsay’s travels abroad, the Ramsay’s Kitchen menu features such selections as Beef Wellington ($69-$82.95); pan-seared scallops ($49-$58.95); jumbo lump crab cake ($28-$32.95); and his signature Sticky Toffee Pudding ($16-$18).

Beef Wellington is a featured entree at celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s Ramsay’s Kitchen restaurants.
Beef Wellington is a featured entree at celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s Ramsay’s Kitchen restaurants. RAMSAY'S KITCHEN BY GORDON RAMSAY

The Harrah’s Cherokee River Valley restaurant will open on the 12th floor of the casino’s Valley Tower that looks out to Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina’s largest national forest.

The opening is scheduled to coincide with completion of a $275 million casino expansion.

At 12,000 square feet, Ramsay’s Kitchen will seat at least 190 diners indoors and on an outdoor rooftop terrace. The restaurant will have a 19-seat bar, extensive wine cellar and a private dining area for more intimate gatherings.

Shown is the bar area of a Ramsay’s Kitchen.
Shown is the bar area of a Ramsay’s Kitchen. RAMSAY'S KITCHEN BY GORDON RAMSAY

Diners also will be able to watch chefs and waitstaff at work in the open exhibition kitchen.

“We’re incredibly excited to continue our partnership with the Ramsay team and introduce this new dining concept at our property,” casino general manager Lumpy Lambert said in the statement.

Expect a “cozy ambiance” paired with Ramsay’s “thoughtfully curated, internationally inspired menu,” he said.

This story was originally published October 31, 2024 at 1:05 PM with the headline "Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay reveals plans for his first North Carolina Ramsay’s Kitchen."

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Joe Marusak
The Charlotte Observer
Joe Marusak has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1989 covering the people, municipalities and major news events of the region, and was a news bureau editor for the paper. He currently reports on breaking news. Support my work with a digital subscription
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