A lot of people reading this, much like a lot of people in my life, known Peter Murphy as Conscience. A professional wrestler. The former Scottish and British Champion. The Last True Phenom. The Pryor. But like many of us in this bizarre world of wrestling, there is a life outside the ring and a person behind the persona. When I first met him he was an intimidating sight and he would his the Guilt Trip on me for fun and amusement.

It was later on I found out there was more to the man that meets the eye when we spent a day together in Area 52. We were supposed to be preparing the centre for the arrival of a Hammerlock Camp, but most of the day we sat down and talked. That was the day I started to realise just how much there was to know about the man. That there was more to him than most people realised.

Over the years I’ve learned more about the man behind the mask, as have many in SWA, and we not only see him as a mentor and a trusted ear, but a man with many passions, many interests and many stories to tell from his eclectic life. Stories which he finds passion in sharing which is why he’s written them down, looked deep within himself and let the man behind the imposing ring persona shine through after years of being British wrestling’s Conscience.

Peter had already accomplished several great achievements from the representing his country in athletics to gaining national titles in American Football before heading to Kent to learn the art of pro wrestling. After several prolific years as a headliner which not only saw him travel the UK, Europe and the United State but also appear on several high profile television shows before that chapter of his life ended with his retirement at the Gathering 2009. But as one chapter ended, another began and suddenly life started over once again.

It was his appearance on Iron Chef UK that most people saw one of his first loves spring back to life and re-ignite his passion for cooking, more so than ever before. With his wrestling and athletic life behind him, and not being the kind of man who wants to stand still and watch life go by, he was inspired by the experience and sooner than I suspect even he thought. After years of letting his first passion fall from being a career to a hobby he suddenly found himself working in the kitchen. And so, a new chapter has begun.

The Grappling Gourmet isn’t just about Peter Murphy the wrestler, the athlete, or the chef. It’s a collection of stories on his life throughout every venture, every experience, every step he took across the world and all the good and bad that happened on the way.

SWA fans may pick up the book and read through for road stories, maybe to laugh at stories of Adam Shame, to hear about the world famous wrestlers he’s met on his travels or the world of Scottish wrestling you may have never heard about. If that’s what you’re looking for, you won’t be disappointed. But this book will tell you a lot more than his life in spandex as Murphy shares stories of his the birth of his daughter, the tragic passing of his mother, his marriage, his friends, his brush with mortality and his experiences from being a young man with a passion for cooking, to athlete and wrestler to going back to the kitchen.

This book is one of the most honest and open I’ve read, and written by a man who is an engaging and fascinating story teller. With so many stories to share from the various and diverse era’s of his life, as well as some recipe’s that your significant other will thank you for making her, the Grappling Gourmet is a must-read.

You can pre-order PJ Murhy’s Grappling Gourmet at his website, grapplinggourmet.com priced at £9.99.

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