Chef impressed by Birmingham City Ladies’ maple-fuelled lunches

We’re just three sessions into our series of nutrition cooking classes with The Blues but their culinary skills have already improved immensely. The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers’ UK ambassador, Chef Colcombe, was seriously impressed with their light lunches.

First up on the menu was our roasted broccoli, cherry tomato and fusilli pasta, which saw the girls create a maple and goat’s cheese sauce – which went down a treat!

They then began to prepare a chicken and bacon salad and served it with a maple mustard dressing made of lemon juice, chopped shallots, lemon zest, Dijon mustard and pure Canadian maple.

The most challenging dish of the afternoon was a soba noodle and broad bean salad with maple-glazed halloumi – but the girls delivered the most impressive serving of the day, earning the winning team a bottle of champagne.

Chef added: “I thought the session was fun, rewarding and really showed that in our first season, the whole squad is prepared to try really hard to improve their cookery skills.

“The benefits for these young professionals’ diets are unparalleled. To learn how to fuel themselves with the goodness of a natural energy source like maple will prove invaluable across the season.

“As always, our intention has been to improve the squad’s knowledge of different foods and encourage them to adapt what we’re teaching them into healthy cooking techniques. More sport-specific recipes will come, particularly as the girls continue to share with us their own.

“I am delighted to have the pleasure of working with them and look forward to something extra special in our next session this Christmas.”

All of the recipes that the Birmingham City Ladies are cooking up will be available to view on our website soon. Be sure to check out the social media reaction and some images below.

Chef Colcombe impressed with Birmingham City Ladies light lunches

Instagram worthy meals with Chef Colcombe

maple fuelled meals at University Birmingham College

Birmingham city Ladies FC player making a maple infused lunch

Birmingham Ladies FC players creating magic with maple at University Birmingham College

Maple products from Quebec in front of the Birmingham City Ladies FC meals

Did you know?

Québec exports its maple products to more than 50 countries

Everywhere it goes, consumers of all ages appreciate maple’s unique flavour.

Scientists are studying maple’s potential health benefits

Studies now underway include those on the antioxidant properties of the polyphenols naturally present in maple syrup, with a recent study indicating that maple syrup is better for cardiometabolic health than refined sugar.

Maple syrup can be used as a sugar substitute in most recipes

In cake and most dessert recipes, for each 250ml (1 cup) of syrup used, simply reduce the stipulated amount of liquid (water, milk, juice, etc.) by 60ml (1/4 cup).

A natural source of energy

Maple syrup is a natural source of energy. Check out our recipes for food and drinks before, during, and after exercise.