Gordon Ramsay Loves How Social Media Has Changed The Culinary Industry

Gordon Ramsay can be a tough critic, but one thing he loves is how social media has changed the culinary world. He even enjoys a good TikTok trend. While gearing up to open his Las Vegas restaurant later this week, the celebrity chef spoke to PEOPLE about his TikTok account, his new restaurant and his biggest critics.

"[Social media] is the best thing that's ever happened to our industry. It's a part of the culinary scene now that has been so exciting," he said. "[The pandemic] was one of the most difficult moments for us in the industry. So, I love that stuff." He also explained that instead of waiting a long time for a restaurant review to be published, feedback can be shared quickly via social media.

Ramsay, 56, began his TikTok account just before the pandemic began and used his page to post about viral food trends, as well as to hilariously review culinary dishes and disasters. He now has more than 34.8 million followers. Ramsay said that one dish featured on the site, the baked feta pasta, "got a lot of people through the pandemic."

"It's magnetizing because you think, 'Christ, does that really work?' And all of a sudden you've got this feta, roasted tomato dish that you serve for six or 10 guests and for so cheap. That's where it hit the mark," he explained. "And you see 10 million likes and a hundred million followers liking these particular dishes because people can relate to it. And it's exciting and it's new. That's the exciting thing about social media."

Each of Ramsay's TikTok videos get millions of views. In addition to his "Ramsay Reacts" duets, he also sprinkles in some food related humor into the mix. A recent video he stitched has him hilariously worried for his job when a little boy gets off the bus and the first thing he says to his mom is, "Terrible sandwich, by the way." After watching the drama unfold, Ramsay said, "Wow, mom, you're in trouble. And I'm out of a job."

One follower pointed out, "He’s coming for you." Another viewer suggested Ramsay help moms out by writing, "Gordon you’ve gotta do a tutorial for parents to make simple but good things for a kids lunch."

Another recent video that Ramsay shared on TikTok was a stitch of someone making Shepherd's pie. The video received more than 51 million views and 20,000 comments.

With nothing but good comments from the celebrity chef during the clip and the smile on his face, his followers took to the comments to leave their thoughts.  "You know the food is really good when Gordon gives it a good review ?," one follower wrote. "When Gordon approves it’s a big deal lol. ?," another said. Another viewer added, "Imagine waking up to Gordon Ramsey approving of your cooking."

And while the chef is known for his criticism of other people's cooking, he has some critics himself. "My biggest critics are my daughters," he said. "They say, 'Dad, that's a sh-- idea.' 'Dad, that is a really cool idea.' 'Dad, no, you got to stop doing that.'" Ramsay is dad to three daughters, Megan, 24, HollyAnna, 22, and Tilly, 21, as well as son's Jack, 22, and Oscar, 3.

As Ramsay is getting ready for the grand opening of his new restaurant, Ramsay's Kitchen Las Vegas on November 16, he's hoping to change people's perspectives on Sin City's restaurants. "There's a side to Vegas that's very show-offy. This restaurant is all about removing the bandaid and getting rid of that pretentious Vegas side and offering something a little bit more humbling," he said. "What I was in danger of doing is just replicating another restaurant in Vegas based on the success. I wanted to do something different that didn't cannibalize the success and could stand out from the rest."