The one time bad boy and lover of Leamington nightlife as well as a popular goalscorer at City, was up against Wendi Peter and DJ Spooney, failed to impress Judges John Torode and food writer Gregg Wallace with his healthy salad in the opening round.
In the second round which saw food prepared by the three chiefs and served to restaurant customers at Belgo in London's Mayfair dist.
Whelan upped his game in the restaurant enviroment and it was down to a two course meal to decide the winner.
Noel opted for a starter of Broccoli and Stilton soup with a main course of salsa,new potatoes with butterfish.
His soup was described by Wallace as "cracking" but his main course was only "a work in progress."
After tasting all the meals, the judges felt that Noel Whelan's inexperience showed through and they opted to send Wendi Peters into the Quarter-Final.
After the decison, Whelan said: "You learn things everyday and I'll take away the positives."