Cortland diner to be featured on TV show starring Gordon Ramsay

A diner in Cortland will be the focus of an episode of a television series starring celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.

The 4 Star Diner will be featured in an episode of the TV series "Gordon Ramsay's Secret Service," which premiered on FOX and Hulu earlier in 2025.

The show involves the celebrity chef going undercover and infiltrating small town restaurants just like this one, watches how they work and examines their shortcomings.

From there, Ramsay shuts down the restaurant and does a complete overhaul, which could include changes to the menu, changes to the decor or changes to staff's workflow.

Donald Nye has lived across the street from the diner for years. He had no idea who Gordon Ramsay was when a producer knocked on his door but didn’t pass up the opportunity to be a part of the show.

“We had our meal and everything and then all the sudden Gordon stopped everybody and sent everybody out… he said that’s it no more eating, no take out, no nothing, just leave,” Nye told 21 News. 

Nye and his group were invited back the next day but this time things looked completely different after Ramsay worked his magic. 

“It was beautiful, it looks like a top class restaurant,” Nye said. “The food was really good. They gave us prime rib sandwiches, some shrimp salads and some calamari shrimps.”

For the small city of Cortland having a Hollywood-like production around for a few days is something special for all of its smaller stores. 

“They are the backbone. I mean we don't have big chains in Cortland, we have a few but it's all mom and pop shops and that's what Cortland is, it's small, it’s community, it's all about the people,” Kevin Piros, the Cortland city council President said. 

Piros called it “mind boggling” to have a big name celebrity come to the small city of Cortland and bring so much attention with him.

“Without small businesses, the small communities would die out so by having that attention and that fame associated with a restaurant it helps all the restaurants because it brings people in and they can see what Cortland has to offer,” Piros said. 

“Gordon Ramsay, he really does care and he really does good work,” Nye said.

According to Cortland News, 4 Star Diner will open to the public on Sunday. 

Producers who just wrapped up with shooting the episode told 21 News there is no time frame for when the episode is set to air.