Squad Cook Up A Storm

Munster players took to the Thomond Park kitchens recently for a series of cookery classes organised by Munster Performance Nutritionist Dr. Catherine Norton and conducted by Masterchefs Catering – current hospitality providers at the stadium. See the shots and try out their recipes here.

Across two separate afternoons, Masterchefs Catering representatives covered a wide range of recipes and practical cooking techniques tailored to meet the requirements of professional rugby players. With nutrition a key cornerstone in developing and maintaining good body composition, players learnt how to improve the nutritional value of meals and post-training snacks, expanding their taste buds along the way.

Recipes devised by Catherine Norton in consultation with the chefs from Masterchefs Catering included high protein bites, healthy breads, Thai curries, marinades and rubs for BBQ meat, tasty and nutritious salads, and healthier chip options such as roasted yam, beetroot and sweet potato.

Following an opening demonstration it was over to the squad where a number of teams competed for the coveted titles of Best Balls (protein balls) and Muffin Men.

Tasting and judging duties fell to Denis Cregan (Executive Head Chef, Masterchefs) and Pat O'Sullivan (MD, Masterchefs) where they gave the squad an overall healthy score of 7/10. The title of Best Balls fell to Shane Buckley, Ian Keatley, Tommy O'Donell and Cathal Sheridan, with Alan Cotter, Andrew Smith, Billy Holland and Jack O'Donoghue being crowned the Muffin Men.

The players will use their newly acquired skills in pre-season when they will be responsible for devising post-training meals.

Speaking after the event Catherine Norton said, "The importance of nutrition in the preparation for, and recovery from training and competition cannot be underestimated. The department of nutrition at Munster Rugby adopt a Food First approach where nutrients necessary should be obtained from their natural sources as opposed to supplements. Like our #ThursdayTip said a few weeks ago 'abs are made in the kitchen'! It also provides a great opportunity for the players to do something that is not rugby related."

Check out some of our healthy and beneficial recipes here

• High Protein Blueberry and Banana Muffins
• Prunchies – High Protein Crunchy Chocolate Balls
• Thai Green Chicken Curry
• Curried Quinoa
• BBQ Chicken Marinade

New recipes will be released each Thursday for the coming months as part of our #ThursdayTip series on twitter – follow us @munsterrugby

The Muffin Men – Alan Cotter, Andrew Smith, Billy Holland and Jack O'Donoghue display their wares after a couple of hours in the kitchen.

Not overly sure that Stephen Archer likes this recipe…

Too many cooks?? Rory Scannell gets his own personal cooking lesson from John Ryan.

With the mixture done, Robin Copeland is ready for baking.