Eric Ripert Sets the Record Straight on Gordon Ramsay

In case you missed it on E!, the Huffington Post, the New York Post, and everywhere else, Eric Ripert made headlines this week for comments he made on Twitter about chef Gordon Ramsay's abrasive kitchen persona. A number of outlets suggested that the comments were inspired by the recent news that a chef who appeared on Ramsay's "Kitchen Nightmares" three years ago had committed suicide.

Well, Eric returned to Twitter last night to set the record straight, and to note that his comments had nothing to do with the recent tragedy.

"For the record, my comments on Ramsay were not related to the recent tragedy reported by the NY Post and other outlets," he Tweeted. "Just reflecting on leadership and mentoring."

In the Tweets that sparked the headlines, Eric called Ramsay's on-screen persona "a poor inspiration for professional chefs," adding "smart chefs lead kitchen by sharing, teaching, inspiring with respect. Not insulting, abusing, humiliating their team."

On Wednesday, he clarified, "For a long time, I've been in disagreement with the spirit of his shows... "And again, nothing personal against Ramsay as an individual."

The clarification came after the New York Post and the Daily News claimed that it was the suicide of chef Joseph Cerniglia, who appeared on Ramsay's show in 2007, that inspired the initial Tweets. Many others followed suit, prompting Eric to clear the air.