New 'USA-style' tipping rules come to UK as Gordon Ramsay blasted for introduction

Perhaps the most iconic chef there's ever been, Gordon Ramsay, is taking pelters for his adoption of the US-style tipping system.

It's a well-known begrudgement amongst UK travellers; when you land anywhere Stateside - be it the towering streets of New York City or the rollercoaster-dominated flats of Florida - one of the things that we just can't wrap our heads around is the widespread expectation of paying extra for service.

So ever since Ramsay, the TV powerhouse behind Hell's Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmare, recently transferred this jarring expense across cultures and over to his Lucky Cat restaurant in London, there's been some serious pushback.

We are knee-deep into a cost of living crisis, after all. But then again, maybe the folks who can afford to dine out at the Asian-inspired Lucky Cat won't bat an eyelid at his (optional) 20 percent addition to the bill.

Gordon Ramsay left speechless by bill his mum would ‘kick his ass’ for

It must be pointed out that Ramsay's 20 percent service charge had been increased from his usual 15 percent specifically for New Year's Eve diners.

Even still, fellow restauranteur Niaz Caan (who adds on a discretionary 12.5 percent at his place of business) believes Ramsay was starting too high to begin with.

"I think 12.5 percent is okay, but the minute you start going 15,16, 20, I think it's very exorbitant," he commented, per The Independent.

Marco Pierre White charges 10 percent at his eateries, while Rick Stein goes up to 12 percent at Padstow's Seafood Restaurant.

Caan went on to suggest that this US-esque charge won't catch on in a big way, despite it seeming to spread further throughout the UK capital.

"I know the culture in America, even in high-wage states like New York, the tipping culture is still quite ludicrous. I don't think the UK will ever get there because it's based on different cultures altogether."

He argued that bringing in mandatory charges 'defeats the point' of encouraging exemplary service from waiters.

Over on social media, one X user said of the Lucky Cat headlines: "Pay your staff properly!"

"Charge 20 percent more and just pay the staff [a] proper wage. It's a disgrace in the US, making staff live on what is essentially charity," another wrote.

Some experts believe that these hiked-up fees are driven by government legislation that it a legal requirement for all tips to be passed on to workers without deductions.

SumUp's marketing and growth lead, Corin Camenisch, told Metro: "The current economic climate presents challenges for consumers, hospitality workers, and employers. Part of the reason for the rise in service charges is the Allocation of Tips Act, which dictates that all tips and service charges must be given to hospitality staff.

"The act aimed to create a fairer playing field for those in the service industry, meaning employees get a fair slice of their well-earned gratuity, while also giving consumers peace of mind that when they tip, their money is going to the right place."