http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/entertainment-news/2008/10/01/exclusive-rap-star-coolio-sets-kitchen-challenge-for-gordon-ramsay-86908-20763544/

GRAMMY award winner Coolio has a new career as a chef-and reckons he could give Gordon Ramsay a run for his money.

The Gangsta's Paradise rapper is the latest act to be announced for this year's Scotcampus Freshers' Festival and he can't wait to show off his material in Glasgow's George Square this Saturday alongside Taio Cruz, the Attic Lights, Isosceles and Grace Emilys.

Coolio, who became a star following his hit Gangsta's Paradise in 1995, told the Razz: "I'm more of an underground artist these days, I'm not mainstream any more.

"I don't like to do what everyone else is doing so I try to do things differently and I've been getting into other things.

"I'm a gourmet chef. I have my own YouTube channel for cooking. I do a lot of healthy fusion food - I do Black Italian - Blitalian, Black Asian - Blasian, Black English - Blenglish and I'm about to try Black Scottish - Blottish.

"I could do a nice stuffed scone for Scotland. I like traditional food and putting my own twist on it."

With a cook book planned for the near future, Coolio believes his culinary skills are second to none and even suggests he could take on Scots chef Gordon.

He said: "I ate in one of his restaurants and I was not impressed. I would take all his dishes and make them better."

He also said of Gordon's outspoken nature: "I'm good at fisticuffs because I'm a martial artist.

"He could talk all he wants but, I'm less talk, more action.  I get physical so I don't think he'd want to go there. I would break his ribs."