Post archives: Gordon Ramsay joins the hunt for Burmese pythons in Florida Python Challenge

Kimberly Miller, Laura Lordi and Eddie Ritz, Palm Beach Post

Editor's note: This story, from the Palm Beach Post archives, was originally published in 2017. The 2024 Florida Python Challenge is going on now through Aug. 18.

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay joined the fight against Florida’s invasive Burmese pythons in the Florida Python Challenge.

The Emmy-nominated chef tagged along with one of the South Florida Management District’s python hunters, catching three snakes in western Miami-Dade County.

The hunt is part of an upcoming segment for his latest series, "The F Word with Gordon Ramsay," which airs Wednesday on Fox.

Their kills bring the total number of invasive pythons eliminated by the SFWMD Governing Board’s Python Elimination program to 317 snakes in four months.

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and his son, Jack, pose with SFWMD Python Hunter Kyle Penniston and Jason Catarineau and two of the three Burmese pythons they eliminated.
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and his son, Jack, pose with SFWMD Python Hunter Kyle Penniston and Jason Catarineau and two of the three Burmese pythons they eliminated.

The multi-Michelin starred chef is no stranger to South Florida. In 2022, Ramsay stopped in at Benny's on the Beach restaurant after fishing on the pier with his son, Jack.

Gordon Ramsay visits popular beachfront restaurant in Palm Beach County

Chef Gordon Ramsay meets with the staff of Benny's on the Beach after stopping by the restaurant on April 8, 2022.
Chef Gordon Ramsay meets with the staff of Benny's on the Beach after stopping by the restaurant on April 8, 2022.
Chef Gordon Ramsay stopped by Benny's on the Beach in Lake Worth Beach on April 8, 2022, for a slice of the restaurant's homemade Key Lime Pie.
Chef Gordon Ramsay stopped by Benny's on the Beach in Lake Worth Beach on April 8, 2022, for a slice of the restaurant's homemade Key Lime Pie.

What is the Florida Python Challenge?

The Florida Python Challenge is a python removal competition that happens in August. Participants have nine days to kill as many Burmese pythons as possible. The 2024 python removal competition begins at 12:01 a.m. on August 9 and ends at 5 p.m. on August 18. The competition helps protect the Everglades habitat and all its native animals by removing the invasive Burmese pythons.

Why hunt Burmese pythons?

Burmese pythons are an invasive species that pose a threat to wildlife in the Everglades. Florida pays hunters annually to catch the snakes. The competition helps protect the Everglades habitat and all its native animals by removing the invasive Burmese pythons. State-approved hunters can win up to $25,000 this year.

209 snakes were caught during the 2023 Florida Python Challenge. The prize was $10,000.

Prizes will be awarded for the longest or most snakes caught. Hunters can register right up until the last day of the competition on August 18. To register, go to FLPythonChallenge.org.

Laura Lordi is the Digital Audience Editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at llordi@pbpost.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Gordon Ramsay kills Burmese pythons in Florida Python Challenge

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