The paper said airport operator BAA had given the chef preferential terms with a 10-year lease instead of the usual five-year contract because it is keen to turn the restaurant into a key attraction.

But a BAA spokeswoman said: "Our retailer partners operate on a concession-based contract, not a rent or a lease contract.

"Most of BAA’s business partners trade on concession contracts that are three to seven years in length and are turnover-related."

The menu for the 180-seater restaurant is to be based on the Boxwood Cafe at the Berkeley Hotel and will include afternoon tea as well as a cocktail list.

Terminal Five is due to open in March and will handle 30 million passengers every year.

Nick Ziebland, BAA’s retail strategy director, told the Standard: "I’m rather hoping they (passengers) will sit there, rich, comfortable and slightly bored and say ’let’s go and eat out’."

Gordon impressed by Eva plans - 23 Nov 2007
He may be about to open his own restaurant in Los Angeles next year, but Gordon Ramsay has admitted he’s impressed with the competition, namely budding restaurateur Eva Longoria who is planning to open an LA eatery called Beso.

"I had dinner with Eva and Victoria [Beckham] the other night, and I was surprised that Eva is a complete foodie," said Gordon. "I don’t know where she puts it all - she must have hollow legs!"

However, the tempestuous chef didn’t dwell on celebrity culinary openings for long.

"I’m not here to talk about celebrities’ restaurants at the end of the day," he said. "You don’t open a restaurant to make your c*** look bigger, you open it to keep customers happy. I wish them all the best. In this job it’s about longevity, not opening and closing and trying to make money."

Gordon’s new The London, West Hollywood restaurant is set to open its doors in April 2008.

Gordon in funeral offer to critics - Nov 1 2007
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has attacked food critics and offered to provide the canapes at their funerals free of charge.

The chef and TV star, whose New York restaurant Gordon Ramsay at the London was criticised in a New York Times review, says he is "sick to death of being judged by individuals that know less about food than I do".

In an interview with Anne-Marie Minhall to be broadcast on Classic FM’s The Guest List on Sunday, Gordon says the opening of the New York restaurant is the toughest he has had so far.

But he says he felt vindicated by its two Michelin stars in its first 10 months.

Gordon, 40, tells Classic FM: "If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere. I’ll say that to anyone, whether you’re an artist, a chef or you’re thinking of opening a bakery. It’s the toughest city in the world."

Asked about food critics, he says: "I’m in the situation now, at the age of 40 after cooking for 21 years (and it shows on the wrinkles on my face) that I am sick to death of being judged by individuals that know less about food than I do.

He adds: "Who’s laughing now? The quickest ever two Michelin star restaurant to open anywhere in the world and it is in New York.

"So food critics? Love ’em. I’ll happily agree at my cost to do all the canapés at their funerals free of charge."



Restaurant issues on Gordon’s menu - Oct 23 2007
He has sorted out the nation’s kitchen nightmares one by one - now Gordon Ramsay wants to tackle an entire town.