Could You Cook a Three-Course Meal for Gordon Ramsay Without Being Called an "Idiot Sandwich"?

By: Jennifer Post
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Could You Cook a Three-Course Meal for Gordon Ramsay Without Being Called an "Idiot Sandwich"?
Image: ITV Studios America

About This Quiz

Gordon Ramsay's shows are instant entertainment. Not only is he an extremely talented chef, he knows just how to insult people's food to garner tons of laughs, not to mention (more than) a few tears. After all, his show isn't called "Hell's Kitchen" for no reason. He pushes cooks and chefs to be their best and to put out the best food. In his mind, there's no point in cooking if you're not going to do that. He isn't only about super gourmet foods either. He can appreciate a very simple dish done very well. But if you can't make a grilled cheese, you might be an idiot sandwich.

Ramsay has even started a Twitter phenomenon where people will tweet him foods they've made and ask him to rate them or roast them. He leans into this persona because it's the character he plays. A three course meal is a surefire way to know if Gordon himself would think you are a good cook. A meal like that can show a lot of technique—and a lot of missteps. You ready? Good! Take this quiz to make a three-course meal and we'll tell you if Gordon Ramsay would call you an "idiot sandwich!"

Let's start with the first course. What are you planning for the appetizer?
Mozzarella sticks
A seasonal salad
An herby soup
A crudo
Will you use the freshest ingredients?
I'll go with whatever is on sale.
The freshest for my budget
I love using whatever is in season.
The freshest and brightest
How big will the portion be?
Enough to fill you up
Half a meal's worth
It will be a normal starter size.
Almost like just a little taste, a few bites at most

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What kind of plate will you serve the first course on?
It's in a basket.
A salad plate
It will be in a shallow bowl.
A long oval plate
When it comes to taste, what are you going for?
Rich and creamy
Earthy and salty, but in a good way
I want it to taste like spring.
Fresh and light with a touch of citrus
For the three courses, what will they actually be?
Appetizer, dinner and dessert
Salad, entree, cocktail
Soup, salad and entree
Starter, palate cleanser, main course

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Are any of your meals deconstructed?
I wouldn't even know how to do that.
I'm going to try to make the entree like that.
That's a little too pretentious.
The dessert will be, in part.
Will all of your courses have similar flavors?
That would be boring.
They will all share some of the same ingredients.
There will be a theme, for sure.
Not similar, but complementary
How much time will there be between each course?
It will be put down as soon as the last course is gone.
Only a few minutes
I've timed it for ten minutes in between each course.
Less time in between the first and second course, and more between the second and third.

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Are you suggesting beverages with each course?
I didn't know that was part of the assignment.
Nope, Gordon can choose his own drinks.
I will suggest, but not insist.
Each one will be poured right before the plate goes down.
Okay, moving onto the second course! Is it the heaviest course of the meal?
Yeah, it's pretty hefty.
Of course.
It's the biggest, but not the heaviest.
It is the heaviest, but it's not super heavy.
What is the main component?
Pasta
A big piece of steak
Fresh fish
Seared duck

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Are you serving any sides with the second course?
Garlic bread
Mashed potatoes and a vegetable
Herbed coconut rice
Grilled seasonal vegetables and a red wine gastrique
Is there a raw component to your entree?
Not on purpose
Nope, that wouldn't really work.
The sauce will be made from fresh lemons.
The herbs will be fresh.
Which beverage would go best with your second course?
Craft brew, I guess.
I don't know, soda?
A light white
A nice rosé

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Have you ever made this meal before?
Not all at once.
Never.
I've made some components before.
I've tried it many times.
Are you confident in your cooking abilities?
I am certainly not.
I'm better than I used to be.
I know I can succeed if I take my time.
I really believe in myself.
How did you choose this meal to make for Gordon Ramsay?
I searched the internet for ideas.
I chose family recipes.
I took inspiration from a few different cookbooks.
I planned it from my head.

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Does a palate cleanser count as a course?
I'm not sure what that is.
Nah, it can be it's own thing.
It's like, half of a course.
It doesn't have to, no.
You're almost done with the meal! How are you feeling?
Super nervous
I know I'm running out of time, but I'm okay.
I'm actually feeling pretty good!
The rush of the last course is setting in.
It's dessert time. Are you ready?
Ready as I'll ever be.
I think I'm good to go.
Never been more ready.
I'm really excited to present this dessert.

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Now for the big reveal! What is your dessert?
Fudgy brownies
Semifredo with raspberry sauce
Macchiato mouse with fresh whipped cream
Crumbled meringue with fresh berries and a warm sabayon
Did it turn out the way you wanted it to?
It came out perfect, to my standards at least.
Fingers crossed!
It probably isn't perfect, but it's delicious.
It came out better than I anticipated.
Is it a decadent dessert or a lighter one?
Super decadent and splurge-worthy
It really depends on who you ask.
It looks decadent, but eats light.
It's definitely on the lighter side, but still sweet and satisfying.

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Does your dessert require a coffee drink?
Doesn't require it, but coffee does taste amazing.
It would certainly complement it.
My dessert has coffee in it. Two birds, one stone.
Coffee comes after dessert.
Overall, how did the meal go?
All I can do is hope and pray.
I think it went as well as it could have.
It was amazing.
I'm really proud of myself.
What do you think Ramsay would say about it?
Probably nothing good.
He could definitely find some good things about it.
I think he would be really impressed.
I think he would be amazed by it.

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In your opinion, which course was the strongest?
I think the starter was the real winner.
My dessert was delicious.
All of them.
If I had to choose, I would pick the main course.
How would you react if you did get called an "idiot sandwich"?
I would definitely see it coming.
I'd cry.
I would be very surprised.
That wouldn't happen.
Would you make this meal again?
Maybe, but I'd give myself more time.
Maybe separately, but not the full three courses.
I highly doubt it.
Absolutely, it was so good.

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