Campbell hails household cookery skills ahead of Paris Olympics

If Emily Campbell wasn't an Olympic weightlifter there's a good chance she could have been a chef.

The Tokyo 2020 silver medallist says food is a recurring theme in the Campbell household, with her mother a former chef and her father whipping up an array of Caribbean cuisine on a daily basis.

In fact, the entire family is blessed with skills in the kitchen – skills so strong it comes as a detriment to her sister Kelsie, who Campbell reluctantly ranked at the bottom of the pile when it comes to cooking.

"I have to give everybody credit, because everybody in our family can cook,” said Campbell, speaking as a newly-appointed Home Team Hero for Old El Paso as anticipation builds for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

"My dad cooks a lot of Caribbean food from that side of my heritage and my mum actually used to be a chef in an American diner, so obviously she's very good.

"And then they have just taught me and I've taken bits from both of them.

"Even my sister's a decent chef to be fair but out of pure potluck she's probably at the bottom of the table just because we're all good."

Ahead of Paris 2024, Campbell is a Home Team Hero for Old El Paso as they unite with Team GB over a shared goal of creating more connection this summer.

Team GB unites the nation in support of their athletes, while Old El Paso is best enjoyed with friends and families around the table.

The campaign kicks off with an exciting competition that offers consumers the chance to win VIP tickets to experience the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, via Promotional Old El Paso Retail Packs across their portfolio, live in-store now.

Each of the Home Team Heroes – also including Olympic swimming champion Tom Dean, Olympic diving champion and three-time medallist Jack Laugher and Olympic BMX racing champion Bethany Shriever – feature on individual packs and all share a golden tip on how they bring their unique flavour to an Old El Paso meal.

Campbell admitted that family is one of the most important aspects to her journey to success on the international stage, with her friends and family even moving house for her when she was at the Tokyo Olympics.

That is a debt that Campbell believes even Olympic gold couldn't repay.

"My friends or my friends actually moved me into my new place while I was in Tokyo," she added.

"So I came home to a very new house and I heard that my best friend had screwdrivers and was changing fridge doors and people were painting.

"This is how supportive my friends and family are with my journey and my dream and there's never enough words or things I can do to repay them. I'm just so very thankful."

The ‘Make Some Noise for your Home Team’ Masterbrand campaign kicks off with a 30s launch film, that will go live across social and digital.

It celebrates eating being the ultimate team sport and showcases all the different flavours every team member brings to the table during an Old El Paso meal. Each ambassador is seen in action in their sport, whilst Tom Dean brings the Home Team together for a celebratory Old El Paso meal. From breaking records to making history, Old El Paso’s Home Team Heroes are ready to inspire the nation.

Campbell became the first British woman to win an Olympic weightlifting medal in Tokyo.

And despite a difficult few years of injury, including knee surgery at the beginning of 2023, the Team GB athlete is on track to make more history in Paris this summer.

"When I say I left everything on the stage in Tokyo, I left absolutely everything and I just want to be able to do that again in Paris," she said.

"I always think hardship teaches you most of your lessons.

"So 2023 definitely taught me so much about myself, about my character, and it further affirmed that the people I have around me are the right people.

"It's really good to learn so many lessons from that and take it forward towards Paris."