Twelve-star Ramsay is king of the Michelins

He has the mouth of a docker - but the touch of Midas.

Less than a year after opening his first restaurant in New York, Gordon Ramsay has become the most decorated chef in the world ever after picking up two new Michelin stars.

In its first year of eligibility, the 40-year-old celebrity chef's flagship US eatery, Gordon Ramsay at The London, was awarded two stars by city's official body last night.

With a total of 12 stars, the British star and his Gordon Ramsay Holdings now have the highest number of Michelin stars of any restaurant group in the world.

In so doing, Ramsay overtakes previous holder, French chef Alain Ducasse, as the world's most celebrated cook.

Only five other restaurants in the US city hold a prestigious two stars, denoting "excellent cuisine with skilfully and carefully crafted dishes of outstanding quality".

This latest honour puts to an end a rather unfortunate spell for the F Word star.

Last week Ramsay, a former professional footballer, was issued with a £62,000 lawsuit for alleged non-payment of travel bills.

And only last month his flagship London restaurant was deposed as the best in Britain by the Good Food Guide in its first UK restaurant league table.

That came just a two weeks after the fabled Chelsea eating house was knocked off the overall top spot for food, ambience and service in the annual Harden's Guide, which relies on the experiences of 8,000 "foodie" diners.

It was the first time in seven years Ramsay had not topped the poll.

Meanwhile, after differences over not offering room service at Mayfair's glamorous Connaught Hotel, which reopens in December after a £60 million refurbishment, his six-year tenure there came to a sudden end.

Last night Ramsay, whose US restaurant is overseen by seen by Antipodean head chef, Josh Emett, said: "It is a great honour to have received two stars from the Michelin Guide in our first year in New York.

"To achieve such recognition means a huge amount and I am very proud of Chef de Cuisine Josh Emett, the Maitre d' Jean-Baptiste Requein and our very talented team."