Shelina Permalloo

Shelina Permalloo, a British Mauritian chef, was born and raised in Southampton. Before gaining public recognition, she worked as a Project Manager in the field of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, a passion she continues to uphold throughout her career. Her journey into the culinary world began in 2012 when she participated in BBC’s MasterChef, ultimately winning the series. This achievement marked her as the first woman of color to win the competition and served as a significant turning point in her professional life.

Following her MasterChef victory, Shelina Permalloo embarked on a career that spanned various facets of the food industry. She made television appearances on programmes such as Lorraine, This Morning, and Sunday Brunch, and contributed to The Food Network. Her expertise led her to work in several London-based restaurants. In 2013, Ebury Press published her first cookbook, “Sunshine on a Plate,” which drew inspiration from her Mauritian heritage. This was followed by her second book, “The Sunshine Diet,” released in 2015. A major milestone arrived in April 2016 with the opening of her restaurant, “Lakaz Maman,” a Mauritian Street Kitchen located in Southampton, which received positive reviews, including one from The Telegraph in 2020 describing it as ‘very heaven.’ Her restaurant notably maintains an all-female management team, a rare occurrence in the hospitality sector, reflecting her commitment to diversity.

Shelina Permalloo has continued to build her media presence, appearing on “John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen” and regularly returning to “MasterChef” as a judge. She is also a panellist on BBC Radio 4’s “The Kitchen Cabinet,” chaired by food critic Jay Rayner. Beyond her culinary and media work, she is a mother to a daughter born in 2017. She has also engaged in community work, such as cooking meals for key workers and the homeless, and providing free school meals during the pandemic. In 2022, she delivered a TEDx talk at the University of Southampton on the impact of food on community. Shelina serves as an ambassador for Southampton’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme and was appointed Chair of the Southampton 2025 City of Culture Trust, alongside Craig David.