Marco dismissed Jamie’s school dinners campaign as a publicity stunt which has failed to improve children’s food.

He also stoked up his simmering feud with Gordon Ramsay, saying: "He doesn’t enrich my life in any way."

Marco will put 10 celebrities through their paces in the new series of ITV1 reality show Hell’s Kitchen, to be broadcast later in the year.

And it wasn’t long before he was taking a swipe at hit Channel 4 show Jamie’s School Dinners.

Jamie campaigned for junk food to be banned from schools.

Following his TV series, the Government pledged an extra £280 million for school meals.

But an unimpressed Marco said: "I don’t actually admire him. I like Jamie. But I think when you walk down Downing Street to Number 10 with a camera crew at the gates, it’s a bit cynical."

A young Gordon Ramsay learned his trade with Marco and the pair are said to have fallen out.

Ramsay starred in the first series of Hell’s Kitchen.

And there seemed little doubt to whom Marco was referring when he explained his reasons for appearing on the show.

"I’ll be very honest, I don’t like the way my industry has been portrayed by certain people on TV.

"My approach on Hell’s Kitchen will be about inspiring people and helping them, not belittling them and putting them down."

Kitchen Confessions - Aug 06
Marco Pierre White has undoubtedly got a story or two to share - after all who wouldn’t want to hear an insight or two from the Jagger of the Aga?  White’s foray in to the world of literature might have been dictated to a ghost writer but we don’t think it will lose anything in the translation.  White Slave apparently touches on the chef’s infamous bust ups with, among others, Damien Hirst and one time protege Gordon Ramsay as well as White’s insatible appetite outside of the kitchen.

Marco’s Marriage Woes - Jul 06
Marco Pierre White might claim he has softened a little with age but his wife, Mati, is obviously not convinced.  If rumours are to be believed Mati is to take his children for an extended holiday this summer as she considers their future as a family.  And the reason behind the rift?  One time Eastender Martine McCutchon.  The actress’ close friendship with Marco has been well documented and reportedly Mati is not happy with the amount of time ’That Brunette’ spends around her husband.  Blimey.

Marco’s pizza plans - Aug 04
Marco Pierre White is to open a ’wacky’ pizza place with Frankie Dettori.

More well known for classy and exclusive restaurants L’escargot or Mirabelle, the French chef has decided to turn his hand to ’the best pizzas in town’ by opening a pizza joint with the Italian jockey. Dettori already owns a range of pizzas and other Italian foods and has somehow managed to drag the Michelin starred chef in to his plans for a 175 seater pizza parlour in London.