Gordon Ramsay has outlined a simple technique he says will produce a "perfect" burger patty and offered his take on toppings as he teams up with Burger King to launch a new Wagyu sandwich.
Ramsay, 58, told reporters and media outlets that an average-sized patty should be seared for two minutes on each side and then rested, adding that cooks can adjust to personal preference for rare, medium or well done. He also shared a method for melting cheese without overcooking the meat: turn off the heat, place the cheese on the cooked patty, cover the pan and let residual heat complete the melt while the burger rests.
While Ramsay said he is not "the greatest fan of cheese on a burger," he called a fried egg an "underrated" addition for its "oozy texture and flavour." He also criticised the air fryer, saying the appliance is "ridiculous" and that he would ban it from his kitchen if his family would allow. He acknowledged, however, that members of his household and their partners regularly use air fryers.
The comments accompany Ramsay's partnership with Burger King on The Wagyu, a sandwich priced at about £11 in the U.K. that features a British Wagyu beef patty, a brioche bun, rocket and onions prepared three different ways. Ramsay said he "wishes" he had created the burger and argued that quality sourcing and preparation can make fast food more than just junk.
"If you're going to serve a burger, make sure it's done properly — great beef, great build, great flavour," he said, adding that his takeaway pet peeve is kitchens that "cut corners on quality."
Ramsay's involvement with fast-food brands follows his long-running public profile as a chef and restaurateur across fine dining and television. He has frequently emphasised sourcing and technique in his restaurants and media appearances, and he has been critical of practices he views as undermining food quality.
The two-minute-per-side sear, instant rest and residual-heat cheese-melt instructions are intended for home cooks seeking a repeatable result, Ramsay said, though he acknowledged individual taste will determine final doneness. The Burger King release of The Wagyu comes as the chain continues to broaden its menu with premium-leaning offerings and celebrity collaborations.
Ramsay's remarks were reported Sept. 9, 2025, in media accounts covering the Burger King launch and his public comments about home cooking and kitchen appliances.