But Gordon, will poutine be on the menu?

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After years of speculation, Hell's Kitchen chef Gordon Ramsay is finally cracking into the Canadian culinary scene.

The famously foul-mouthed British chef has decided to add a Montreal eatery to his global empire, becoming a partner of the local landmark Rôtisserie Laurier BBQ.

Mr. Ramsay agreed to become a part owner of the restaurant after visiting the city last month to promote his line of cookware, says Danielle Lord, one of the co-owners who took over the eatery from its founding Laporte family on Nov. 2.

"When Gordon came to visit this place, he was charmed by the Laurier BBQ, by Laurier street, by Outremont, by Montreal, and decided that it would be a good challenge to be part of team," she said.

Mr. Ramsay, whose brash on-screen manner and personal struggles are prime tabloid fodder, will meet Ms. Lord and the other local owners, Marie-Christine Couture and Danny Lavy, later this month to discuss how they will revamp the restaurant, starting in 2011. Ms. Lord notes Laurier BBQ, which has been operating since 1936, will remain a comfort food eatery and keep its classic dishes, like roast chicken and French onion soup, but Mr. Ramsay will add new items to the menu.

She declined to reveal how much money Mr. Ramsay is investing in the venture, nor how much of a stake in the ownership he will hold.

Mr. Ramsay, a soccer player-turned-chef who rose to stardom with his multiple Michelin stars and popular television shows, has faced financial turmoil of late. He has opened up to the media about struggling to save his empire from bankruptcy in 2008. Earlier this year, his luxury Maze restaurant in Cape Town, South Africa was the latest of his enterprises to close after about 15 months in business. And in recent weeks, he has been embroiled in a public falling out with his father-in-law and former business partner Chris Hutcheson.

Ms. Lord, however, says she has no doubt his newest project will succeed.

"Sometimes, you know, artists or movie stars … they open restaurants just for the fun of it because they think it's going to be successful just like that, in a wink," she said, but, "We're definitely not here for fun.… With Gordon Ramsay's help and Gordon Ramsay's reputation, you won't see this place closing."

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Gordon Ramsay joins Daniel Boulud and Jean-George Vongerichten, two other international, Michelin-starred chefs who have expanded their operations to Canada.

Gordon Ramsay:

Gordon Ramsay's first career was as a soccer player, but he turned to cooking after an injury forced him to abandon the sport professionally. Mr. Ramsay rose through the culinary ranks, working for legends like chefs Marco Pierre White and Joël Robuchon. He earned his first two Michelin stars as the chef of Aubergine in London in 1993. Tabloids would later pounce on his eventual falling out with Mr. White.

Mr. Ramsay's presence in the media continued to grow as he starred in the hit television shows Kitchen Nightmares, Hell's Kitchen and The F Word. Numerous cookbooks have been published under his name, and he also has a range of Royal Doulton tableware.

The past couple of years have been difficult for the short-fused chef, however. He has publicly admitted to teetering on the brink of bankruptcy in 2008. In 2009, Mr. Ramsay had about 20 restaurants scattered from New York to Dubai to Tokyo. His Prague restaurant closed later that year, and his Cape Town restaurant shuttered this summer. His restaurant at Claridge's hotel in London also lost its Michelin star this year.

Daniel Boulud:

Daniel Boulud took over Vancouver's DB Bistro Moderne, formerly Feenie's, and Lumière, in December, 2008.

Originally from Lyon, France, Mr. Boulud has made New York his home base, where he operates five restaurants including his flagship Michelin-three-star Daniel. He also has restaurants in Palm Springs, Las Vegas and in Beijing.

Jean-Georges Vongerichten:

Jean-George Vongerichten opened Market by Jean-Georges at Vancouver's luxury Shangri-La Hotel in early 2009. A native of Strasbourg, France, Mr. Vongerichten has about 20 restaurants around the world. He told Fast Company magazine last year he plans to open 50 more in the next five years. His main restaurant, Jean Georges in New York, has earned three Michelin stars.