One of Manchester United's legendary treble-winning squad has carved out a remarkable second career far from the football pitch, becoming a champion chef and restaurateur.
From Old Trafford Glory to Kitchen Success
Jesper Blomqvist, the Swedish midfielder who was part of Sir Alex Ferguson's historic 1998/99 squad, has traded Champions League nights for the heat of a professional kitchen. Now 51, Blomqvist hung up his boots in 2010 after a career that included spells at Everton, Charlton, and several Swedish clubs, following his pivotal, if injury-disrupted, time at United.
His crowning sporting achievement remains winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League in that unforgettable season, though he made just 38 appearances, scoring once, before a serious knee injury sidelined him.
A MasterChef Champion Emerges
In 2023, Blomqvist achieved a different kind of victory, winning the Swedish edition of Celebrity MasterChef. The former footballer, now sporting a ponytail and looking very different from his blonde-playing days, impressed the judges throughout the competition.
Reflecting on his win on Instagram, Blomqvist praised his final opponent, Karl Fredrik Gustafsson, calling it an "incredibly tough & even final." He admitted to the Stockholm newspaper Aftonbladet that he was surprised to triumph, feeling others had more knowledge, but his competitive spirit saw him through.
Building a Pizza Empire in Sweden
Blomqvist's culinary journey wasn't born on a TV set. He had already established his own pizza restaurant, 450 Gradi, just outside Stockholm in 2018. Following his MasterChef win, the business moved to larger premises and has flourished.
In a 2023 interview with Manchester United's official website, Blomqvist expressed pride in the restaurant's success, particularly awards from Italian organisations. "The most important thing is the customers keep coming back," he said, comparing it to winning a match. His personal favourite pizza is the classic Parma – a fitting choice for a man who once played for Parma in Italy.
Blomqvist's story is a striking example of a successful post-sporting career transformation, proving that the drive to win can translate from the football field to the culinary world.
