Chef loves Ramsay tattoo

Dobby had to convince Ramsay she was serious about having a tattoo of his signature. Photos / Doug Sherring, Pam Johnson

Fan of celebrity cook asked him to sign her arm so she could have it inked forever

A pastry chef has shocked Gordon Ramsay by getting the super-cook's autograph tattooed on her arm.

The top UK chef used a marker pen to write his name on the arm of Rangiora woman Sharron Dobby - and she had the "Love Gord" signature inked the next morning.

At the fundraising dinner at the Vodafone Events Centre, Manukau, on Friday night, the 1000 guests were invited to text in a question to ask Ramsay.

Just five questions were read out - including Dobby's request for a signature she could later get tattooed.

Dobby said when it came time to have the autograph, Ramsay smiled and asked "Are you sure?".

Less than 12 hours later, Dobby had the penned autograph inked into her skin. "I love it," she said.

"I told him he was a source of inspiration for my catering business."

Duco Events director David Higgins said Ramsay was stunned to be told she went ahead with the tattoo.

"He was shocked as someone would be if you had your name tattooed on them."

Meanwhile, Ramsay was the absolute gentleman when he dropped by Depot Eatery for lunch yesterday.

Ramsay has diced fellow chefs down to size on cooking shows Hell's Kitchen, The F Word and Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, but he charmed staff and patrons at Al Brown's popular central-city restaurant.

Ramsay wasn't keen to talk when he left Depot to enter a waiting car, but told the Herald on Sunday he had enjoyed his lunch.

"It was delicious as always, thank you."

The Brit also visited Depot on his last New Zealand visit six months ago and Brown said it was gratifying that Ramsay had returned.

Brown wasn't in during Ramsay's visit, but staff told him the star was "just lovely".

"A few customers went up to him and he was really engaging. He's a superstar in the food scene, so maximum respect, but he's also super-nice," Brown said. "I think TV can be a little bit skewed."

Ramsay and his female companion had a meal of oysters, fresh kingfish sashimi and a few other small dishes, Brown said.

Kitchen staff were "fizzing" afterwards, he said.

"Of course it's nerve-racking for them, but it's also an honour to get an opportunity to put something in front of someone who has been incredibly successful at cooking."

Depot famously doesn't accept reservations but Brown admitted he might bend the rules for someone he admired.