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Donna Hay

b. 1970

Australian chef

Chef Columnist Housekeeper
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About Donna Hay

Born 1970. Donna Hay is an Australian chef, columnist, housekeeper, editor and author.

Donna Hay (born 28 January 1970) is an Australian food stylist, author, magazine and newspaper editor, businesswoman and television presenter, who has presented her own programs

Cookbooks and publishing Hay is best known as the author of 27 bestselling cookbooks, including the new easy, the new classics, fresh and light, fast, fresh, simple, off the shelf, modern classics (books 1 and 2), the instant cook, "Basics to Brilliance" and Basics to Brilliance: Kids. Selling over 6 million copies worldwide, her books are known for their simple recipes and beautiful photography. She was named one of the 'Magnificent Seven' cookbook authors by the judges of the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in January 2007. Her most recent book, Too Easy, was released in October 2024.

Hay also served as Editor-in-Chief of Donna Hay Magazine, a bi-monthly magazine launched in 2001, which closed after 100 issues in July 2018. She was the Food Editor for Marie Claire magazine when it launched in Australia, as well as six months as Food Editor at The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.

Homewares collection She also has her own homewares range, sold via her online store at donnahay.com.

Television presenter and appearances In March 2011, Hay's first television series, Fast, Fresh, Simple, launched on The LifeStyle Channel. Fast, Fresh, Simple is a 13-part series that features many of the recipes from her book of the same name.

Donna has also appeared many times as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia, which airs on Network Ten.

In May 2016 her new TV series called "Donna Hay – Basics to Brilliance" aired on Lifestyle Food, Foxtel, followed by "Basics to Brilliance: Kids" in 2017.

In November 2022 a new 4-part series "Donna Hay Christmas" launched globally on Disney+.

Honours and recognition Hay was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2022 Queen's Birthday Honours for "service to the food and hospitality sector as a cook and author".

Filmography Title Year Role Kath and Kim (TV series) 2007 As herself (guest) MasterChef New Zealand (TV series) 2010 Guest Judge The Project (TV series) 2010 Self - New Masterchef Celebrity Chef Challenge Judge Junior MasterChef Australia 2010 Self - Guest Judge Donna Hay - Fast, Fresh, Simple 13-part series (TV series) 2011 Host Masterchef Australia (TV series) 2009-2011 Self - Guest Chef - Self Guest Judge - Celebrity Chef (14 episodes) Donna Hay: Basics to Brilliance (TV series) 2016-2017 Self - Host Donna Hay: Basics to Brilliance Kids (TV series) 2017 Self - Host RTL Late Night (TV series) 2018 Self Saturday Kitchen (TV series) 2007-2020 Donna Hay Christmas (TV miniseries) Disney+ 2022 Self - Host

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Important facts

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Donna Hay's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Donna Hay?

Australian chef

When was Donna Hay born?

Donna Hay was born on 28 January 1970 in Sydney.

What is Donna Hay's occupation?

Donna Hay is a chef, columnist, housekeeper, editor and author.

What nationality is Donna Hay?

Donna Hay is Australian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Donna Hay

· Wikidata: Q1852101

· DBpedia: Donna Hay

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Donna Hay. https://biography.guide/donna-hay/

MLA: "Donna Hay." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/donna-hay/.

Chicago: "Donna Hay." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/donna-hay/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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