Zena Weeks, a private chef from Streetly, has revealed the eating habits of Halesowen-born England midfielder Morgan Rogers before matches. The 23-year-old Aston Villa star, currently at the World Cup, follows a carefully planned diet to boost his performance.
Pre-match treats and preferences
Rogers is not keen on fish but understands its benefits, according to Weeks. "Luckily for me... [he] doesn't have a sweet tooth, but before a match, the day before a match, I will give him something like apple crumble," she said. "They are allowed to have sweet things before a game, because they need to sustain their energy."
Collaboration and nutrition
Weeks cooks at Rogers' home but noted he is a "very good cook," and they often create recipes together. "He does eat everything and I can't say that there's anything he dislikes," she said. She prepares the menu and shops with no foods off the table, ensuring meals are not saturated in fat. "I speak directly with... nutritionists, so his diet has to be, like with all of the players, has to be spot on for them, so it's very individual," Weeks explained. She ensures he gets the right quantities of carbs and proteins before a game, while rest days involve no sweet foods.
World Cup and background
Weeks has messaged Rogers during the World Cup but has not influenced his food there, as the England team has its own chefs. She trained as a chef and worked as an events manager in athletics before becoming a private chef for Premier League players. Her mother, from Mauritius, cooked from scratch daily. Weeks runs businesses Cook With Zena and Cooking 4 Champions, inspiring children to learn cooking skills. She views Rogers as similar to her son, saying, "So when I walk through the door, I'm not thinking 'Oh, this is a Premier League footballer.' He's just somebody that needs to be looked after."
