Maria Elia
Maria Elia knew she wanted to be a chef from the age of four. She takes influence from her Greek-Cypriot roots to create fresh, innovative flavours.
Maria was born into the restaurant business, watching her Greek-Cypriot father cooking in their restaurant. Training to become a chef herself, she took an apprenticeship at Café Royal's Grill Room. After working in kitchens around the world, Maria now writes about her experiences with food.
Maria has worked in the kitchens of Ferran Adrià at El Bulli and Elena Arzack in San Sebastian. She was head chef at the Whitechapel Gallery, and is now executive chef of Joe's in South Kensington, serving her fresh and deceptively simple food using a world of ingredients. Maria has become well known for her "Textures of Vegetables" concept after turning Delfina into one of London’s most talked-about restaurants.
When she's not cooking as a guest chef on Market Kitchen: Big Adventure or Perfect..., Maria teaches at The Ethnic Authentic Cooking School in London.
You can learn more about Maria and pick up some great recipes on her website.
Maria Elia's Recipes
Whisking the sugar and eggs separately makes for a wonderfully light and moist chocolate cake from Maria Elia
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Instead of pancakes, try Maria Elia’s super-speedy sweet twist on a flour tortilla for breakfast or brunch
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Total time
15 min
Maria Elia’s trifle layers soft ginger cake with sweetened rhubarb and creamy mascarpone
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Total time
25 min
Maria Elia serves up this recipe for indulgent wheat-free savoury pancakes
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Total time
50 min
Maria Elia serves her quick and easy wild boar with white bean purée and sautéed fennel
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Total time
35 min
This recipe from Maria Elia was inspired by a dessert created by chef, Brett Graham which also uses fig leaves to flavour
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Total time
21 min
The distinctive aroma and flavour of cardamom is a superb match for rich chocolate in Maria Elia’s cake recipe
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Total time
1 hr
Maria Elia’s velvety soup makes a nourishing autumn meal, especially when topped with chorizo
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Total time
55 min
Star anise, cinnamon and shaosing wine bring rich flavour to Maria Elia’s slowly simmered beef
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Total time
3 hrs 15 min
Adding fine ground chestnuts brings a new dimension to Maria Elia’s homemade pasta
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Total time
1 hr 45 min
