Second helping: Hells Kitchen Culinary contest ... who will come out on top
IT'S set to be the biggest culinary clash on TV, as smash-hit show Hell’s Kitchen returns for more sizzling action.
But this time fiery cook Gordon Ramsay has been replaced by two new chefs – spiky-haired Brit Gary Rhodes and hunky French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.
Each professional heads a team of five aspiring chefs, who are ordinary members of the public with a passion for food.
Over two weeks, the teams must cook every night in Hell’s Kitchen’s restaurant in London.
Last year, over eight million viewers watched Gordon Ramsay’s blazing rows with his celebrity chefs, including the winner, former Brookside babe Jennifer Ellison.
TV bosses are hoping their two new chefs will cook up as much of a storm – with Gary promising to throw off his mild-mannered image.
“I have strict rules in the kitchen,” warns Gary, 44. “If my chefs are not there for the right reasons, I’ll kick them out.
“People are used to seeing me on programmes such as Masterchef, where it’s all very calm. But my kitchen teams will tell you, when I look at them in a certain way, they know to get their head down, shut up and get on with it. There will be times when I will go berserk.”
Last year’s host, Angus Deayton, returns to present the new format show.
The two competing teams will be filmed in the kitchen and in their newly designed living quarters. They will have to conjure up dishes for over 80 celebrity diners a night.
Then the stars will give their verdict on which team served the best food. But it will be down to the viewers to decide who stays by voting by phone, text or via the show’s website.
At the end of the contest two finalists will compete for the chance to realise their dream of running their own restaurant.
Gary was awarded his first Michelin star at the age of just 26 and has since won four more.
Rival Jean-Christophe’s accolades include being given four Michelin stars and five AA rosettes. In 1999, The New York Times even voted him the world’s sexiest chef!
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t in competition with Jean-Christophe,” admits Gary.
“They say he’s the sexiest chef in the world, but I want to serve up the sexiest food.”
Jean-Christophe, 42, will use his Gallic passion to beat his British opponent.
“For me, it’s impossible to separate food and sex,” he says. “The only two things in life that use all five senses are cooking and sex.”
But will the Frenchman lose his cool in the kitchen? “I have a hot temper, but I can control it,” he grins. “It takes a lot to push me.”
Sun
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