Shelina Permalloo

I am a chef, author and food consultant, best known as the first woman of colour to win MasterChef UK. My cooking is rooted in my Mauritian and African heritage and focuses on bold, accessible flavours for modern home cooking.

I am the author of several cookbooks, including What to Cook When Everyone’s Hungry, and regularly appear on television and radio, including Cooking with the Stars, BBC One’s MasterChef, and BBC Radio 4’s The Kitchen Cabinet. Alongside writing, I work across recipe development, food storytelling and brand consultancy within the food industry.

Professions

Author, Broadcaster, Chef, Consultant, Cookery teacher, Food and travel writer, Other, Recipe writer

Special subjects

African cookery, world cuisine, fast family food, Mauritian cuisine, everyday home cooking, flavour-led accessible recipes, cultural food storytelling. diversity and inclusion

Regular work

Cookbook author, recipe development, food writing, television and radio appearances, brand consultancy, food content creation and public speaking

Advisory boards / Awards

Former Charity Chair Southampton Forward, Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 Hampshire Charity Work

Languages spoken

english, creole