Ex-Boxing Champion Barry McGuigan Victorious On “Hell’s Kitchen”

Click for larger image © Jane Warburton Saddo Boxing

Under the direction of the 3 Michelin starred Celebrity Chef, Marco Pierre White, Barry survived three weeks of the British reality TV program “Hell’s Kitchen”, holding off nine fellow competitors which included singer Paul Young, TV presenter Anneka Rice and comedian Jim Davidson. Barry was voted winner by the public with Adelle, of Emmerdale fame,

coming second. It must have seemed a long time since the first day when, having just met bandana-clad-Marco, they were immediately asked to cook an egg for him, in any way they wanted. W

hat followed was cringe-worthy. Marco looked disgustingly at all the “efforts’ of the contestants, criticising each one or making some sarcastic comment. On first impression, it seemed he would be as ‘scary’ as Gordan Ramsey, although without the four letter tirade!

But as the days went on, Marco was not as hard a taskmaster as he’d first seemed and with the exception of one, the contestants had a huge amount of respect for him.

Barry will always be known now as “The King of Mash’, as he loves his potatoes and took the greatest of pride ensuring his mash was perfection. Celebrity Chef Nancy Lam commented that “his mash potato was very sexy”.

Barry came across as a real peacemaker; he got along with everyone and tried to diffuse any negative situations. Fellow contestant Abigail was booted off after 11 days service and said that she’d “like Barry to win…he’s my favourite”.

Barry said he was “shocked to be in the final” and then looked visibly chuffed when Marco presented both he and Adelle with a “Marco-bandana’. Laughing, Barry said he felt he looked more like the Karate kid!

Despite being lumbered with the most difficult menu in the final, Barry, along with two former contestants, Paul and Abi, set to work. “If he tells me to do something, I’m just gonna say Yes, Boss!” Paul Young laughed “How could you argue with a world-champ?”.

“Let’s get ready to rumble,” Barry quipped as the final service began. He lost his temper just once last night and that is the only time we saw Barry lose his cool on the entire programme and even then he apologised for it afterwards. No wonder he won, everyone likes him!

Barry thanked the British public for voting for him and said that “the best part has been learning from the great man himself…Marco is an exceptional man and I’ve had a fabulous time”.