BaxterStorey and Executive Chef, Hayden Groves, are launching a new charity recipe book; Back in the Saddle. Inspired by an incredible challenge to raise money for Cure Leukaemia, the book is a culinary journey documenting the 10,403km cycle ride across Europe undertaken by Hayden and a team of four cyclists, including ex-England footballer Geoff Thomas.

The cycling team took on the Giro D’Italia, Tour de France and La Vuelta a Espana this summer and the book is a celebration of their mammoth achievement. Back in the Saddle is a book of recipes inspired by their journey across Italy, France and Spain, as well as a chronicle of the team’s experience, brought to life with spectacular imagery. 100% of proceeds from the book will go to the charity.

Funded by hospitality services provider BaxterStorey, the book showcases 63 recipes, matching the number of days it took the team to complete the challenge. Recipes include Sardinian lemonade, mushroom arancini, Valencian-style paella, calçot onions with Romesco sauce and pana cotta with crystallised pistachios and blueberries.

Hayden Groves, Executive Chef at BaxterStorey said: “The Three Tours Challenge was by far the biggest thing I’ve ever taken on but knowing we were raising money for Cure Leukaemia spurred me on. I’m delighted with how the book has turned out. It’s designed for home cooks of all levels and highlights the great produce from the regions we visited.”

Geoff added: “I’ve enjoyed reliving our Three Tours Challenge through this book! There are some delicious recipes. I urge people to go and buy it to help us reach our goal of raising one million pounds for Cure Leukaemia in 2017.” 

Cure Leukaemia’s CEO James McLaughlin said: “We are immensely grateful to Hayden and BaxterStorey for making this unique fundraising idea a reality. What the Three Tours Challenge team achieved this year is truly remarkable and this fantastic book will help reach an audience who perhaps were not aware of the challenge and the cause. To be receiving 100% of the proceeds is testament to the generosity of Hayden and BaxterStorey and every penny will go towards the expansion of the internationally significant Centre for Clinical Haematology at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The expanded Centre will immediately help save the lives of blood cancer patients and hasten global progress towards eradicating all forms of the disease within 25 years. I’m sure it will make a wonderful Christmas present so please do consider purchasing a copy because you will be helping to save lives in doing so.”

www.3tourschallenge.com