Reds quartet cook for Comic Relief
Martin Kelly and Jonjo Shelvey were among four Liverpool stars doing their bit for Comic Relief on Wednesday as they participated in a special bake-off at the Boot Room Sports Cafe Cheshire Oaks.
The first-team pair were joined by Natasha Dowie and Nicole Rolser of the Liverpool Ladies at the event, which aimed to raise awareness of the 25th anniversary of Red Nose Day - on March 15 - and the causes it supports.
A seemingly simple challenge awaited them - follow a set of instructions to bake a cake within 30 minutes and decorate the dessert with a Red Nose Day theme.
The four players were paired with representatives of Positive Futures, a project funded in the local area by Comic Relief, as children from the Liverpool FC Foundation watched on.
Celebrity chef and lifelong Liverpool supporter Simon Rimmer was in attendance to offer guidance to the players and their helpers before judging who would be crowned the winner.
Midfielder Shelvey admitted throughout the competition that his cooking skills were below-par but was keen to acknowledge the wider importance of the occasion.
"It was not a case of rushing, but a case of inexperience," the 21-year-old joked.
"I'm not the greatest cook in the world; truth be told, I don't know how to cook. I had a little helper there and he said he knew how to cook, but as time went on I don't think he did.
"I try to avoid the kitchen at all costs. After doing this, I think I need to start taking cooking courses to get better. I should start learning how to cook.
"It's an eye-opener when you see kids abroad and in England who live in poverty - you want to get involved and help out.
"To be asked by the club to come and do something like this is an honour. It's good to be involved in.
"You've got to do your bit with the community because if it wasn't for them, you wouldn't be where you are - it's only an hour of your time."
Kelly, who suggested to LFC TV during the day that he may begin a culinary career once his football days have ended, agreed with his teammate.
"If you look over the past at how well Comic Relief has done for starving countries, it's fantastic," he said.
"If coming along to bake a cake for an hour helps that cause, I'd come along any day of the week to do that.
"It's very important, whatever aspects the club want me to do, to get involved - and especially a cause like this that helps other people. It's a massive help and I enjoy doing it."
After making several errors in the preparation of his cake, Shelvey finished fourth when Rimmer began the tasting process - with Rolser finishing an unfortunate third.
And Kelly was forced to settle for second place as Dowie and assistant Eddie Adams were highly praised for the taste, presentation and texture of their effort.
For their achievement of winning the bake-off, youngster Adams was presented with a signed Liverpool shirt by mascot Mighty Red while the excited Ladies striker received a special cooking apron and the chance to see her cake shown on television.
The day concluded with the four players and all of the children at the Boot Room Sports Cafe urging the general public to get in the spirit of Red Nose Day for 2013 and 'do something funny for money'.
