After studying Medieval and Modern Languages at Oxford University, Nigella became Deputy Literary Editor at the Sunday Times before going on to pursue a freelance career with leading magazines and newspapers.

Nigella's has always had a passion for food but it also became her bread and butter when she began writing restaurant reviews in The Spectator. Other assignments have included a stint as food columnist in Vogue, and writing for Gourmet magazine in America.

Her first book, How to Eat: The pleasures and principles of good food was published to critical acclaim in 1998. It established Nigella's relaxed attitude to food and eating and won her a wide and dedicated audience. She has continued to publish regularly and to date, her books have sold in excess of 2 million copies accross the world.

In 2000, Nigella lit up the small screen with her first series Nigella Bites, this was followed by a second series and a Christmas Special. In 2002 came Forever Summer, another sumptuous celebration of fantastic ingredients, no-holds barred cooking and Nigella's signature easy family food. In 2004 she published Feast which celebrates "food that celebrates life". Her latest book is Nigella Express where she shows how to make comforting meals in minutes.

Nigella's personal life has had its challenges. She lost her husband, broadcaster and journalist John Diamond, to throat cancer in 2001 but subsequently found love again in the shape of advertising tycoon Charles Saatchi, whom she married. The couple live in London with her two children, Cosima and Bruno, and Saatchi's daughter, Phoebe.

Nigella Lawson photo gallery

Website
Nigella.com

Books
How To Eat: Pleasures and Principles of Good Food, Chatto and Windus, 1998
How to Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking, Chatto & Windus, 2000
Nigella Bites, Chatto and Windus, 2001
Forever Summer, Chatto and Windus, 2002
Feast: Food that Celebrates Life, Chatto and Windus, October 2004
Nigella Express, Chatto and Windus, 2007

Living Kitchen Range
Nigella's range of stylish yet practical kitchen accessories and equipment designed in collaboration with Sebastian Conran. Get 5% off at the UKTV Cookshop.