A celebrity chef is helping to put a small upstate community on the map.Chef Gordon Ramsay of the show, "Hell's Kitchen,” has been filming a new show at a hotel in Cambridge
He made a surprise stop at nearby Willard Mountain on Saturday.
FOX23 News got a chance to talk with the star about his stay here in the Capital Region and why he says he's fallen in love with the community.
Ramsay and a production team turned Willard Mountain into the set of a TV show on Saturday.
“It’s pretty cool, really awesome, great,” said a bunch of skiers after seeing the star.
Ramsay took his energy, expertise, and a bunch of cameras to Washington County, New York.
"Upstate New York is beautiful, look at it. Who needs Aspen?” joked Ramsay.
“I think it is awesome to see him here live and locally. We’re really excited about that,” explained “Hell’s Kitchen” fan and Mechanicville resident Colleen Hems.
Ramsay is shooting and promoting his brand new FOX TV series called, "Hotel Hell."
He's chosen the historic Cambridge Hotel, which he says has lost its way.
“It’s the pillar of the community, so we need to put it back into the community and make the owners understand that you need to carry that momentum forward and more importantly fall in love with it again. It’s an amazing place,” Ramsay said.
Ramsay called upstate New York a chef's dream, crediting local farmers for some of the freshest dairy and produce.
“I fell in love with the community, they're amazing,” he said.
Everyone at Willard got a taste of what Hotel Cambridge is famous for – the inventors of apple pie a la mode, but now, revamped by Ramsay.
“It’s the best I’ve ever had,” said skier Alex Kruk of Saratoga Springs.
Wilton resident Tera Nadi and her daughter agree, saying, “It’s yummy and the ice cream is the best!”
These fans were pleasantly surprised to meet the world renowned chef, who also took a moment to reassure some local shops in Cambridge, he's not done yet.
“Of course I will pop in there, the locals here are amazing,” he said before leaving Willard.
So the big question is when can we see Willard Mountain and the Cambridge hotel on national TV?
All the crew could tell us was “Hotel Hell” is a brand new show and there is no episode schedule just yet.
You'll have to keep checking our website for the latest information.
