Monica Galetti

Monica Galetti – Chef Owner, Mere Restaurant

Monica Galetti is one of the best-known and highly renowned female chefs in London. Born in Samoa Monica developed an early interest in food – a hugely important part of Samoan culture – before moving to New Zealand, where she was raised and later trained as a chef.

In 1999 she upped-sticks and moved to London, where she went on to work for Michel Roux Jr. at two Michelin-starred Le Gavroche. After a total of twelve years at Le Gavroche, Monica left in 2015 to spend time with her family and focus on finding a site for her first restaurant here in London. The result of which was Mere which opened in 2017 in Fitzrovia. Mere, which pays homage to the name of Monica’s own mother, is a melting pot of cultural influences. It combines the classical French spirit of her husband David’s childhood with the South Pacific and New Zealand flavours from her own upbringing, with elements inspired by her travels around the world and the changing British seasons weaved in to each dish.

Over the past 13 years Monica has become a familiar television personality, as the inimitable presenter and judge on BBC TWO’s MasterChef: The Professionals. Monica has also gone on to co-present four series of BBC TWO’s Amazing Hotels with Giles Coren.

Monica is the author of three books: Monica’s Kitchen, The Skills and Monica at Home, which was released in September 2021.