Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has been given just weeks to pay off outstanding tax debts for two of his restaurants after he was taken to court over the outstanding sums.

The British cookery expert presents a string of TV shows - including Hell's Kitchen and Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares - in both the U.S. and U.K. and owns over 20 eateries across the world.

Ramsay admitted he was recently advised to file for bankruptcy because his upmarket venues were hit hard by the economic downturn.

The star managed to stave off the debt-collectors momentarily by pumping $8 million of his own money into his empire in a last ditch bid to keep it afloat.

But on Wednesday Ramsay was ordered to pay off the debts relating to a restaurant in Mayfair, London and his Plane Food joint in the British capital's Heathrow airport.

Tax debts for two of his other London restaurants had already been paid prior to the hearing, which Ramsay was not present for.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)