'Women can't cook' claims Ramsay

Gordon Ramsay said more men were learning kitchen skills

Women "can't cook to save their lives", celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has said.

The controversial chef said more men are learning what to do in the kitchen, while women are more likely to be able to mix a cocktail than cook.

"When they eat, they cheat - it is ready meals and pre-prepared meals all the way," he said in the Radio Times.

Ramsay, 38, who has an award-winning female chef at one of his restaurants, is known for his fiery temper as much for his culinary skills.

"I've been visiting ladies' houses up and down the country with our film crew and you would be amazed how little cooking the girls are doing," the chef said ahead of the launch of his latest television show.

It's not necessarily a bad thing - so long as someone is cooking, does it really matter who it is? Angela Hartnett Chef

"Seriously, there are huge numbers of young women out there who know how to mix cocktails but can't cook to save their lives, whereas men are finding their way into the kitchen in ever growing numbers.

"Trust me, I am only telling you what I have discovered."

Angela Hartnett, head chef at the Ramsay's The Connaught in Mayfair and a Michelin-starred chef, defended his comments.

She said they were based on a survey for a TV programme which claimed 75% of women asked admitted they could not cook.

"So, he hasn't made these comments up willy-nilly," she told BBC Breakfast.

There's no need to insult the women of the country that can cook Helen, England Send us your views

She said men were becoming more interested in cooking, with her master classes split 50-50.

"A lot of husbands come and say they do all the cooking because their wives can't cook.

"It's not necessarily a bad thing - so long as someone is cooking, does it really matter who it is?"

She acknowledged that the ready availability of pre-prepared meals made it easy for people never to have to learn to cook.