Melissa Hemsley

Melissa will be cooking at the Fire Pit stage on Sunday 25 August

Melissa Hemsley is a cook, writer and champion of sustainable, nourishing food.

SHE DESCRIBES HER RECIPES AS BEING “PERFECT FOR THOSE IN NEED OF COMFORT”; JOYFUL, WARMING AND PACKED FULL OF INGREDIENTS TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER.

Growing-up on an army base, with an energetic Filipino mother, Melissa was taught about cooking from scratch; about not going to the shops until every ingredient in the fridge had been used-up; and about the importance of cooking and sharing food within a community. Melissa’s professional food career began as a private chef with her sister, Jasmine. After several successful years cooking wholesome, nourishing meals for international actors and musicians like Take That, Hemsley + Hemsley published two bestselling cookery books and opened a café in Selfridges. A primetime cookery show followed (subsequently sold in 20 countries worldwide), as well as countless appearances on Sunday Brunch, Saturday Kitchen and This Morning, and at food festivals all over the UK – and internationally.

In January 2018, Melissa’s first solo book, ‘Eat Happy’ was published to great critical acclaim – a celebration of fuss-free, feel-good food and packed with simple yet nutritious recipes, all made in under-30 minutes.

Melissa’s focus is now, more than ever, on sustainability. She is passionate about the importance of creating extraordinary food that is sourced from suppliers that care – both about the environment and the community; about the ground from which their food is derived, and the people to which it is served.

Melissa writes a fortnightly column on sustainability for Vogue called ‘Eat, Think, Grow’, where she shares practical ideas & easy tips to make a more positive impact on the planet. With a celebration on food, farmers & the land that feeds us. Recently she also curated a guide highlighting 30 of the UK’s most sustainable restaurants.

She’s currently finishing up her fourth cookbook, “EAT GREEN: Everyday flexitarian recipes to shop smart, waste less and help make a difference” which is out in January 2020. 

Alongside this, Melissa presents the ‘Live Life Better’ podcast for Virgin, interviewing authors and experts on how we can all live life that bit better. Listen to the last 2 series here.

Melissa is a proud supporter and volunteer for The Prince’s Trust, Mental Health Mates, Future Dreams, Women Supporting Women, Cook for Syria (Unicef), Headtalks.com and is a judge of the Soil Association (Best of Organic awards) and the YBFs (Young British Foodies) and a mentor for Creative Mentor Network.

She cooks, writes and tends her vegetable garden in Leytonstone, where she lives with her boyfriend Henry and their dog Nelly - as well as a steady stream of hungry diners, happily squeezed around her kitchen table.