Recently in Marco Pierre White Category

In an interview in today's Metro, the great man of the Oxfordshire restaurant doesn't hold back with his thoughts on the two high-profile chefs.

Apparently when he was training Pierre White at Le Manoir, the volatile chef was "a nightmare," says Blanc. "Marco had to prove he was the best all the time. He always had to set up some sort of competition in the kitchen, which is not good because it makes people feel a bit scared."

As for Gordon, Raymondo is asked what he thought of the time the chef dressed up in disguise and pretended to be one of Blanc's fans at a book signing.

The response: "I find that very sad. He has a number of businesses and I know how tough that is. So to come and play the clown at one of my signings...what's the point? What is the bloody point? I didn't get it".

And: "He is the only one to get it. What is he trying to do and say? I just laugh. My God, has that guy got nothing else to do? He must be very well organised in his business if he has time to do stuff like that."

Later on Raymond does say: "I just want to add that Marco is a good friend of mine. And if he made a few mistakes on the way, well, don't we all?"

So one of them gets off a bit more lightly, at least.

Blanc's The Restaurant winners to launch Marlow pub >>

Marco criticised for belittling waiters on 'Hell's Kitchen' >>

It seems to Kitchen Rat that Hell's Kitchen this year is much more about celebrity squabbling than the cooking.

Last year we were impressed by the creative menu tackled by the celebrities but when dining there last night the meal left the Rat feeling uninspired although the individual elements were well executed.

It was Danielle's turn on the pass as our check was called and she either had a magic wand or a great deal of prep had been done in advance as our starters - asparagus and Hollandaise, potted shrimps, and two paté de foie gras - arrived almost before we ordered them.

The main courses followed swiftly and while the Rat's generous portion of lamb was nicely caramelised on the outside and pink on the inside, both it and the companions' veal came with just a large dollop of mash as an accompaniment - no greens in sight. Oh to have saved some of the asparagus from the first course.

KR was also shocked to find lamb sprinkled with cockles. One has heard of surf 'n' turf but that's taking it a bit far.  

Marco Pierre White returns to our screens next Monday for the latest instalment of ITV1's Hell's Kitchen.

The participants were revealed today and, as per usual, it is a mixed bunch.

The full line-up: TV presenter Anthea Turner and her husband Grant Bovey; model Danielle Bux (better known as Gary Lineker's fiance); singer Ms Dynamite; actor and comedian Adrian Edmondson; former Liverpool goalie Bruce Grobbelaar; Jody Latham from Shameless and former Dynasty actress Linda Evans.

A few Kitchen Rat predictions: Anthea will be the first to cry, Ms Dynamite will be the first to have a shouting match with MPW, the cameras will take a shine to Bux and Jody will be the best chef (well, one hopes so - he's launching his own restaurant soon).

Stock-cube friendly chef Marco Pierre White has picked up yet another award, but this time it's one he may not want.

After Michelin stars and accolades-a-plenty the fiery chef's appearance as 'the face of Knorr' in their latest ad campaign has just been named one of the top ten worst celeb ads.

Coming in at a frighteningly compeitive No.4, MPW was beaten only by Tiger Woods etc al for Gillette, John Lydon for Country Life and Kelly Holmes for Kellogg's cereal.

The list was compiled by industry advertising magazine Campaign. The Nike ad. featuring Ronaldo and others topped the list of best ads.

Marco set to launch Frankie's in the USA>>

Marco Pierre White on why he's back behind the stove>>

He's known for his public spats, but usually Marco picks equally prickly characters as himself, ie Gordon Ramsay or entrepreneur Tony Allan.

However this week the self-styled Godfather has gone for cuddly Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, the man who wants to get people buying properly reared chickens, and growing their own.

Speaking to recently launched lad's mag Shortlist (the free magazine for men with more than one thing on their minds), he said: "I'm not a political beast, but I think that all these crusades are purely about publicity.

Relationships between the UK and Russia may be frosty but it appears the long-running Cold War between superstar-chefs Marco Pierre White and Gordon Ramsay may
have thawed.

A Kitchen Rat spy was on hand at JFK airport in New York earlier this year to witness Gordon Ramsay striding to the car rental desk pursued by Marco Pierre White.

However, rather than remonstrate and threaten legal proceedings against Ramsay for the theft of the reservations book from Aubergine (again) with a smattering of his own F-Words, Marco instead gave Ramsay a warm embrace.

Alas, our spy wasn't near enough to tell if Marco's actions made Ramsay cry, or whether the Cook Along star chose to cry (or, in fact, actually cried at all). But eithier way, Posh Spice can cook, so there!

Gordon Ramsay Holdings revenue to hit £100m by 2010>>

Gordon Ramsay to open restaurant at London's Hippodrome>>

Marco Pierre White set to launch Frankie's in USA>>