Upstairs, Ramsay\u2019s concept draws inspiration from the \u201960s and the famous Carnaby Street in London, although having been born in 1966, the \u201cHell\u2019s Kitchen\u201d star is a little young to have experienced \u201cSwinging\u201d London <\/p>\n
Ramsay made an appearance at his Anaheim eatery Wednesday and, in an interview with TimesOC, discussed the true inspiration behind his groovy new place: his mum.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was a \u201960s chick, in love with the Beatles,\u201d Ramsay said.<\/p>\n
Helen Cosgrove worked three jobs, including as a cook at a local bistro near the birthplace of William Shakespeare. In his youth, Ramsay sometimes stopped in before soccer practice to help his mom with prep, standing on a bench to reach the counter.<\/p>\n
\u201cI went back to her original restaurant three weeks ago, in Stratford-upon-Avon, and I walked into the kitchen and the same bench was there,\u201d he said. \u201cI used to stand on the edge of that bench and peel onions and peel carrots.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1785614231_624_.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
The decor at Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby evokes groovy 1960s London.<\/p>\n
(Edwin Goei)<\/p>\n
Ramsay not only inherited Cosgrove\u2019s cooking talent but also her tastes, which were influenced by the popular culture that came to define Carnaby.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was only 20 years old when she had me in the \u201860s, and it\u2019s a time we still talk about now, her love of the music and fashion,\u201d Ramsay, 59, said.<\/p>\n
The Carnaby in Anaheim features framed images of Lesley Lawson, better known as Mod icon Twiggy, and posters The Who and Pink Floyd. Perceptive visitors will notice one other parting shot if they look closely at the placemats. Among the imagery of Mod models and Union Jacks, is a school photo of Ramsay at age 8, sporting a shaggy Beatles-esque hairdo.<\/p>\n
\u201cMum would literally put a fricking bowl on my head and and trim \u2026 I look like I\u2019ve got a helmet on,\u201d he said. \u201cBut the fringe was the style. I look at that now and think, \u2018Mum, you had style.\u2019 We didn\u2019t waste much money on hairdressing, but she had style. God bless her.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Chef](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787360051_31_.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1785614233_286_.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n