“We will be cooking up a whole bunch of things”: What’s on Chef Haydos’ menu for the Glasgow Cosmic team?

Matthew Hayden spent decades building a reputation as one of cricket's fiercest competitors, but he is a man who wears multiple hats. Cricketer, coach, commentator, TV personality, entrepreneur, conservation and outdoor enthusiast, mentor, public speaker, brand ambassador. 

And celebrated home cook!

The Glasgow Cosmic Co-Owner and Head Coach hosted his own lifestyle TV series called ‘Matthew Hayden's Home Ground.’ The show combined cooking, gardening, farming, family life, and outdoor living. The six-part series premiered in 2010 on Australia's The Lifestyle Channel and was later broadcast in India, as well. 

Hayden, in fact, is also the author of multiple bestselling cookbooks.

 So, one of the first things we could think of when Haydos joined the ETPL family were the endless menus lists that the Cosmic team members must be drawing up in their minds!

 When asked, during an interview, if he would cook for the Glasgow team during the upcoming ETPL season, Hayden responded with the same humour and warmth that has become synonymous with his personality.

"Yes, they will be getting cooked at, for sure. And we'll be cooking up a whole bunch of things for them as well," the 54-year old, who won two World Cups, with Australia, said.

Beyond the light-hearted response, however, lay a deeper philosophy about the environment he hopes to create in Glasgow. For Hayden, building a successful franchise is as much about relationships and shared experiences as it is about performances on the field.

"One of the greatest elements is just having a good time and enjoying each other and celebrating our great game," Hayden, who is looking forward to coaching the Glasgow franchise said.

That emphasis on culture has become a recurring theme across the ETPL. While every franchise is striving to lift the inaugural title, there is an equally strong focus on creating dressing rooms where experienced internationals and emerging European talent can learn from one another, build lasting friendships and grow together.

Hayden believes that connection should extend well beyond the squad itself.

"We want to make sure that we turn up for our fans whenever we can. That's what we'll be cooking up. So, it'll be a feast, I'm sure," he added.

It is a simple message, but one that captures what the Glasgow Cosmic team hopes to represent. Success will always matter, but a truly lasting legacy is one that emerges out of an atmosphere where players enjoy wearing the jersey, supporters feel connected to the team, and every match becomes an occasion worth celebrating. Here’s hoping Haydos’s words are prophetic and the inaugural ETPL season serves up far more than incredibly entertaining cricket.