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PETA responds to Gordon Ramsay's announcement he is going vegan

The animal welfare group had a surprising response to the news that the top chef was dabbling in veganism

Chelsea Ritschel
in New York
Friday 20 April 2018 00:20 BST
Comments
I went vegan for 10 weeks and this is what it did to my mind and body

Renowned meat lover Gordon Ramsay shocked the world this week when he announced he would be giving “this vegan thing a try” - and now animal charity PETA has responded.

Coinciding with the opening of his new London pizza restaurant, the three-Michelin-star chef, who is notorious for his vegan and vegetarian-hating ways, backtracked on his former views and tweeted: “Going to give this #vegan thing a try… Yes guys you heard that right. Gx.”

Alongside the surprising news, Ramsay posted a photo of what appeared to be a vegan pizza offered at his new restaurant, Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza.

However, one group that was not surprised by the 51-year-old chef’s announcement was animal welfare organisation Peta.

Of Ramsay’s lifestyle change, Peta president Ingrid Newkirk told The Independent: “PETA knew that Hell would not have to freeze over before Gordon Ramsay gave the best food in the world a try: vegan food.

“We're hoping it seduces him as it has so many other chefs and mortals of all types, who become much healthier in heart, body, and mind as a result.”

Ramsay has previously faced backlash for his anti-vegan comments on social media from vegans and animal advocacy groups alike.

His most recent controversy involved a vegan lasagne, which the chef had responded to with: “I’m a member of PETA ! People eating tasty animals.”

While most commenters were supportive of the top chef’s decision to switch to a vegan lifestyle, which has been liked over 30,000 likes, others questioned whether Ramsay’s Twitter account had been hacked.

“If you’re being held hostage by a vegan give us a signal,” wrote one concerned fan.

But, according to Peta’s tweet, they “knew this day would come.”

“Keep on adding #vegan options to your restaurant menus,” they advised the chef on Twitter.

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