Bonding With Food and His Mom

The host of 'Kitchen Nightmares' and 'Next Level Chef' on his alcoholic father, peeling veggies with his mother and chasing his dreams in London

- Marc Myers

HOUSES MEANT LITTLE to me growing up in Scotland and England. My family lived in around 20 of them, and some were decrepit rentals in trailer parks. The only residence of substance was public housing in the industrial section of Stratford-upon-Avon when I was 10.

My father had trouble holding jobs and was a womanizer and an abusive alcoholic, which often left my mother bruised and scrambling to make ends meet for us.

I was born outside of Glasgow, Scotland. As a guitarist, my father, Gordon Sr., dreamed of becoming a rock star. We came second, if at all.

Despite our serial moves, I was outgoing and made friends easily. Then we'd disappear and end up in another town a week later.

My love of food began in Stratford-upon-Avon. My mum, Helen, had a part-time job as a cook at a local bistro on a prominent street.