Gizzi Erskine

Griselda “Gizzi” Maxwell Erskine, born on August 20, 1979, in Wandsworth, is an English chef and TV personality. She is the daughter of photographer Iain Maxwell Erskine, 2nd Baron Erskine of Rerrick, and model/actress Maria Josephine. Erskine trained at Leiths School of Food and Wine in London, establishing a foundation in culinary arts. She is recognized for advocating for and innovating within the pop-up and underground food scenes, developing a distinctive approach to food culture.

Erskine’s career includes significant media presence, notably presenting two seasons of Channel 4’s “Cook Yourself Thin.” She subsequently presented “Cookery School” on Channel 4 in 2011 and co-presented “Drop Down Menu” with Matt Tebbutt. Other television appearances include “Cooks To Market,” “The Ones To Watch,” “12 Again,” and “Iron Chef” on Channel 4, as well as cookery features for ITV1’s “This Morning” and contributions to Sky1’s “Taste.” As a food writer, she has published several successful cookbooks, including “Gizzi’s Kitchen Magic” and “Skinny Weeks and Weekend Feasts.” Since July 14, 2013, she has served as The Sunday Times Cook with a weekly column in the Sunday Times Magazine. Erskine recently held the position of Chef Creative Director at Mare Street Market and co-hosts the podcast “Sex, Lies and DM Slides” with Sydney Lima.

Her entrepreneurial ventures include opening five distinct pop-up culinary experiences. These include a collaboration with Innocent Smoothies at the Tramshed in Shoreditch, an initiative at Clarence House in association with START, and a Tiki Lounge at Bestival. She also established an East London gourmet pie shop and “K Town” at Concrete in Shoreditch, which drew inspiration from the Korean hole-in-the-wall dining scene of New York. Additionally, Erskine curated and hosted a cookery and cabaret stage at Latitude Festival, featuring demonstrations, live food-related cabaret acts, bands, and DJ sets.