Wolves’ head performance chef, Melissa Forde, has been nominated as the club’s ‘No Room For Racism icon’ to showcase the importance of diversity on and off the pitch.
All 20 Premier League teams have nominated an icon who represents their club as a way of highlighting the contribution people from Black, Asian and mixed or multiple ethnic backgrounds have made in football.
The Premier League commissioned artist Kingsley Nebechi to develop illustrations of the nominees, including Melissa, which have featured across Premier League and club channels this week, along with a range of content to demonstrate the impact they have made.
Classically trained with a career that was built in fine hotels in Birmingham, Melissa – who works for Levy UK, the exclusive food and hospitality provider for Wolves – joined the staff at Compton in July 2021 and brings her technical knowledge and love for deep, rich flavours to the Old Gold players.
“Our job is to ensure our players are operating at their highest possible levels,” Melissa said. “My kitchen is a vital part of that. As the lead performance chef, we have certain criteria to follow to make sure our food is in line with performance and is nutritionally balanced.
“That doesn’t have to mean boring through. I’m always looking for ways to bring depth and flavour to all of the dishes we serve our players. That extra little pinch to make it special.”
As was the case at Molineux against Manchester City last Sunday, this weekend’s fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion will be dedicated to the Premier League’s No Room For Racism initiative, highlighting the ongoing work the league carries out to tackle discrimination and promote diversity within football.
During this weekend’s matches, the league and clubs are coming together once again to celebrate how diversity makes football stronger and reiterating their collective commitment to ensuring everyone feels welcome across all areas of the game.
“You look at the Premier League and so many of the players are from Black heritages. At Wolves, we have players from Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Cape Verde, Gabon, Colombia, Haiti, Cameroon... But how often do they feel that their heritage is encompassed in what they’re eating?
“Some of the players leave home at 15, 16, I love that we have the chance to cook them something that tastes a bit like home.
“I like the players to feel at home. I like them to eat well and get the food they need to do for their job, for their work, for their energy levels, for their recovery. When they’re at the training ground there shouldn’t be any pressure. They should be able to come in, be themselves, eat comfortably and relax.”
October has seen Wolves celebrate Black History Month, with events taking place at both Molineux and Compton with the intent of bringing people of all backgrounds together, which have proven to be enjoyable, enlightening and a fantastic way of learning more about ourselves and those at the club.
Melissa has embraced the club’s Black History Month celebrations, as well as her own Jamaican heritage, in the first-team canteen at the training ground with the chef and her team producing several unique dishes which have honoured the backgrounds of Wolves’ players and staff.
“It would be hard for me not to add Jamaican influence into the food I make here. For Black History Month, we’re already working on the recipe for Caribbean seafood boil, and I’m playing with the idea of how I’d make a perfect plantain gnocchi.
“But I make a big effort to research and be influenced by other cuisines. Post game days, we do a lot of bone broths for recovery and I love experimenting and sourcing ingredients for African dishes. We have a board where the team can add their own ideas too – it’s not a one-man band.”
Melissa has joined 19 other icons from Premier League clubs to have her portrait created as part of the No Room For Racism initiative, and the league’s chief executive Richard Masters believes one of football’s biggest strengths is its ability to bring people from diverse backgrounds together.
“We are proud to celebrate individuals who represent the importance of diversity within football, including trailblazing players and inspirational club employees who set a great example to others day in, day out,” Masters added.
“Through our No Room For Racism action plan, we are committed to improving diversity across football and we will continue to work hard to show that any form of discrimination will not be tolerated.”
In April, a three-year update on the No Room For Racism action plan highlighted the progress being made and work carried out year-round. This includes action against racism, as well as improving pathways for players, coaches and others working in football from ethnically diverse backgrounds.
The ongoing fight against discriminatory abuse, whether it occurs within stadiums or online, remains a priority for Wolves, the Premier League and its other clubs.
Fans who experience or witness any form of discrimination at Molineux should contact the nearest steward or report it using the confidential text service, by texting WOLVES to 07723 479887.
