Verna Gao

Chef, author & content creator

Maple Ambassador

Vern Gao

Portrait

Home cook and content creator, sharing Chinese recipes with over 900k followers on TikTok and Instagram.

Born in Shanghai and moving to London as a child, Verna, aka vernahungrybanana, found comfort in cooking while adjusting to a new life. Food became her link to her Chinese roots and a way to connect with others.

At university, she taught friends how to make real Chinese dishes and later travelled across East Asia, collecting recipes and inspiration. During lockdown, Verna began sharing her cooking online, growing a devoted following.

Her cookbook, ‘Have you eaten?’, reflects the warmth of Asian hospitality and the idea that food is a simple way to show love and brighten someone’s day.

Our maple ambassadors

We are proud to work with a selection of fantastic ambassadors who love maple in all its forms and want to inspire others to use this wonderful ingredient.

Tips and tricks

You can make your own maple taffy in just seven minutes

Try our microwave maple taffy recipe. It’s quick and easy!

Maple flakes make a great addition to spice blends

Season meats, fish, and vegetables with the delicious flavour of maple.

Maple water is for drinking — and cooking, too!

Maple water brings sublime flavour to soups and broths. You can also use it to poach fish.

The Science Behind Maple

Researchers are learning about the natural composition of maple syrup and its potential benefits to human health. Find out what they know.