Hell’s Kitchen has a new head chef.

Gone is the infamous hot-headed tyrant Gordon Ramsay and New York Magazine says Marco Pierre White, Ramsay’s former mentor turned adversary, will be taking his place.

It’s a little hard for me to believe this. No one anywhere for any reason could ever dispute White’s chops. To some he’s a legend, to the rest he’s a god. The youngest British chef ever to be awarded three Michelin stars (he was 33 at the time), White was famous for his creative genius in the kitchen but also for his quick temper.

Will we see Ramsay-redux?

Not likely, says White.

“I might be the hardest person they’ll have ever met but I’ve got a heart just as big. It’s about picking people up off the floor and inspiring them to want to carry on ’til the end.”

I would expect that Hell’s Kitchen, under White, will be more about the food and innovative techniques and classic dishes than swearing and slamming plates of food into people’s chests.

It should be noted that White’s age has brought him a fair share of mellowing at as anyone who saw his appearance on No Reservations can tell you. No less passionate about food and quality ingredients, he certainly seems a far cry from the despot that made Gordon Ramsay cry at Harvey’s, White’s first restaurant after becoming a three-star chef.

Stay tuned.

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