Silvena Rowe's distinctive style of cooking combines her Eastern European heritage with a modern British twist.

Feisty and energetic Bulgarian-born Silvena has worked in the restaurant industry for 19 years, including stints with Gary Rhodes at City Rhodes and John Torode at Mezzo. Silvena was also chosen to assist the Chairman of the Catering Review Board for the Millennium Dome Company.

Silvena's three-year 'Party Paupers' column for the Guardian (which she co-wrote with wine writer Malcolm Gluck) featured easy entertaining menus for those on a budget. She's also contributed to The Independent, The Sunday Times, Olive magazine and The Evening Standard.

In 2004 Malcolm and Silvena published 'Supergrub', which extends the Party Paupers articles, by giving recipes and wine recommendations for a dinner party for four, for under £30. She has since published two more books. Her book book “Feasts” won best photography for Jonathon Lovekin in the 2007 Glenfiddich Awards.

Silvena has appeared on the (now closed) Carlton Food Network, The Express Shopping Channel and Good Food Channel's Great Food Live.

She lives with her husband in London with their two boys.

Books
Supergrub: Dinner-party Bliss on a Budget, Collins, 2004 
Feasts: Food for Sharing from Central and Eastern Europe, Mitchell Beazley, 2006
The Eastern and Central European Kitchen: Contemporary and Classic Recipes, Interlink, 2007