STORY: Maple from Canada's new chef ambassadors

As part of its campaign to drive awareness of the benefits and recipe applications of pure Canadian maple syrup among both professional chefs and home cooks, Maple from Canada UK has appointed four new ‘ambassadors’ for 2021.

The ambassadors are chef, author and presenter John Gregory-Smith, chef owner and Bake Off the Professionals winner Laurian Veaudour, Chef of The Year Award winner and Glasgow restaurateur, Peter McKenna and renowned food writer, stylist and broadcaster Rosie Birkett.

Maple from Canada UK will also continue its partnership with master chocolatier William Curley and chef director James Golding.

The ambassadors will be using their extensive culinary knowledge to create new content, including recipes for both the home cook and professional chef using maple as a key ingredient, as well as other food projects currently in planning. The focus on this year’s work will be seasonality and sustainability, with cooking insight, tips and recipes based on seasonal UK ingredients.

John Gregory-Smith

During his travels around the Middle East and North Africa, John explored street food and authentic local cuisine, leading to his love of and expertise in spices. John has penned six cookbooks, Saffron in the Souks, Orange Blossom and Honey, Turkish Delights, Mighty Spice Express, Mighty Spice Cookbook and Fire and Spice, revealing the best-kept secrets of his travels.

John writes Saturday Supper Club, a monthly column for The Daily Telegraph and appears regularly on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch and ITV’s This Morning to showcase his culinary delights.

Laurian Veaudour

Laurian’s passion for baking was ignited in his small, home-town village in the South of France. During a trip to Cardiff 20 years ago, he instantly fell in love with the city and Welsh culture, finally deciding in 2010 that it was the place to set up his own bakery business, Cocorico Patisserie.

His decadent ingredients and artistic style saw his talents recognised nationally in 2020 when he was crowed a winner of Bake Off: The Professionals.

Peter McKenna

Peter co-owns 3 AA Rosette restaurant, The Gannet in Glasgow, also heading up the kitchen. His menu is inspired seasonally by local, Scottish artisan producers,

foragers and farmers and his cooking blends traditional and contemporary techniques, creating a distinctly modern fine dining experience.

After starting his culinary training straight out of school, Peter has worked in first-class kitchens around the world including the Sydney Opera House, Patrick Guilbaud, in Dublin and Chez Bruce, in London. Peter’s flair for food and passion for the hospitality industry led to him win Chef of The Year 2020 at the Staff Canteen Awards.

Rosie Birkett

Rosie is a passionate British home cook with a love of seasonal ingredients and simple comfort foods. She is a critically acclaimed author whose cookbooks include: The Joyful Home Cook, A Lot on her Plate and Easter London Food. Her recipes reveal her eye for colour and styling and showcase everyday cooking as vibrant and beautiful.

As one of the UK’s leading food columnists, Rosie shares monthly recipes in The Sunday Times and Olive magazine, also making regular appearances on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen and co-hosts the BBC Good Food Podcast.

For more information visit www.maplefromcanada.co.uk