TV chef Gordon Ramsay is being encouraged to join the growing legion of kitchen stars setting up businesses in Oxfordshire.

County restaurateurs and business leaders have dangled the tempting carrot in front of the Hell's Kitchen star after Mr Ramsay admitted mulling over a move to the area.

The Scottish chef's empire is expanding next week when he opens his first hotel, the York & Albany in Camden, London, following his successful Michelin-starred restaurants.

And, in a briefing with journalists at the official launch of the hotel last week, Mr Ramsay said he would "get the York & Albany right" before opening more hotels, but after that he would consider opening one in Oxford.

A source at The Observer, who attended the launch, said: "Mr Ramsay said ‘Oxford maybe’, when he was asked where he might open another hotel.

"It sounded like he was talking about the kind of place where a chef-owned hotel might work, rather than having a specific building in mind."

Earlier this year, Jamie Oliver opened Jamie's Italian in George Street, Oxford.

Peter Berry, a spokesman for Jamie Oliver, said: "Jamie and Gordon are good mates so I think we would be cool with a Ramsay hotel.

"People could stay there and then eat at Jamie's!"

The Naked Chef star chose Oxford as the first location in a chain of Italian restaurants. The second could open in Bath.

Anna Dickinson, a spokesman for Mr Ramsay, said the chef had not released any further details about his plans for future hotels, but would not deny that her boss was eyeing up an Oxford move.

She added: "Gordon has plans the whole time, but nothing has been confirmed to us.

"He may be considering it, but there are no concrete plans and we have been told nothing."

Mr Ramsay is as well known for his foul-mouthed outbursts on TV shows, including Hell's Kitchen and Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, as for his culinary expertise.

Graham Jones, a spokesman for traders' group Rescue Oxford, said: "Oxford traders welcome this vote of confidence from Gordon Ramsay, particularly as plans for the Westgate shopping centre have been put on hold.

"It is quite possible Mr Ramsay has watched Jamie Oliver move into the territory and wants to be competitive."

If Mr Ramsay does decide to open a hotel in Oxford in the future, it is unlikely that food or accommodation would be cheap.

With the York & Albany, a double room at the 19th century John Nash townhouse starts at £155, with bedrooms created by British fashion designer Russell Sage.

Mr Ramsay runs several restaurants in London, including Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's, and Sloane Street by Gordon Ramsay. He also runs Gordon Ramsay at The London and The London Bar in New York.