Shelina Permalloo

Shelina Permalloo is a TV chef, restaurateur and cookery author who specialises in Mauritian food. She was the first woman of colour to win BBC's MasterChef in 2012.

Early life Permalloo was born and brought up in Southampton and identifies as being a British Mauritian with both parents migrating from Mauritius.

Career After time as a project manager in the field of equality, diversity and inclusion, Permalloo took part in MasterChef programme and she became BBC’s MasterChef Champion in 2012. She published her first cook book Sunshine on a Plate based on her Mauritian heritage. She opened her first restaurant Lakaz Maman in Southampton in 2016. Her restaurant is inspired by modern Mauritian street food

Permalloo is a panellist on BBC Radio 4 The Kitchen Cabinet with food critic Jay Rayner.

She was appointed Chair of Southampton 2025 City of Culture Trust. During the pandemic, her team cooked over 1,500 meals for keyworkers and the homeless and 300 free school meals. She is an ambassador for Southampton’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme.

Publications Sunshine on a Plate (2013) The Sunshine Diet (2015)