Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has shown that it is possible to go from being a whizz on the football pitch to a star in the kitchen.
But he only turned to haute cuisine when his dreams of sporting success had already been ended prematurely by injury.
This week, four Dundee FC players were savouring the chance to prove that the pleasures of cooking could still be enjoyed while their footballing careers are in full swing.
Iain Davidson, Nicky Riley, Craig Wighton and Cammy Kerr were at the Ashoka Shak on the Camperdown leisure park for a celebrity cook-off.
The restaurant is one of the club’s official season ticket partners and the event was a chance for fans to help raise money for a new youth academy.
The players were challenged to cook an authentic, two-course Indian meal under the watchful eye of the Ashoka Shak’s own chefs. The food was then served up to the eager fans.
On the menu were such exotic delights as BBQ chicken chaat a la Cammy, Davo’s mixed vegetables, Nicky’s lamb desi and, last but not least, Craig’s korma ye faithful.
After donning his chef’s hat and looking at the packed tables, Nicky said: “A guy was telling me it’s his anniversary. I’ll try not to ruin it for him. I am not the best at cooking but I’ll give it a go.”
He is a fan of Indian food but normally goes for a carry-out and he had no previous experience of cooking in this style. The prospect of a Gordon Ramsay-style career did appeal, though.
“The outfit suits me and that’s half the battle,” Nicky said.
Iain admitted to being more a fan of Italian food, although he is partial to the occasional chicken tikka.
“We are here for a good reason and good cause,” he added.
The club’s youth academy plans will see part of the old Manhattan Works near Dens Park turned into five-a-side pitches along with sports science and therapy facilities.