Monica Galetti with Gathering

From the far-flung kitchens of South China and sun-soaked archipelagos of Italy to the spice-laden waters of the Java Seas, discover recipes collected over a lifetime of travelling.

Monica Galetti is one of the best-known and highly renowned female chefs in London. In her upcoming cookbook, Gathering: A Celebration of Flavours from Polynesia & Beyond, she brings together a beautiful collection of recipes that have shaped her life — from the food and flavours of her Samoan heritage and childhood, to dishes inspired by her travels through France, Italy, Greece, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Japan and beyond.

Each dish tells a story: flavours that dance, colours that sing, and aromas that transport you to distant places. Monica reimagines traditional recipes born from generations of gathering, cooking, and celebrating together and invites you to cook boldly, bringing warmth, curiosity, and creativity to your table.

From little bites and sharing plates to vibrant vegetable dishes, seafood, comforting mains, breads and desserts, let the world’s flavours inspire your taste for adventure, creating dishes that are as joyful as they are soulful, and turning every meal into a celebration.

Monica reflects on the dishes and ingredients that carry emotional weight: the taro, breadfruit and coconut milk of Samoa; the seafood she grew up with; the breads and pastries she discovered in France and Italy; the spice blends of Morocco and Oman; and the Japanese ingredients that have continued to inspire her cooking. Beautifully photographed and rich with personal stories, Gathering is a joyful exploration of heritage, travel and belonging.

'Monica is a supreme talent’ Tom Kerridge

Born in Samoa, Monica Galetti 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 moved to London, where she went on to work for Michel Roux Jr. at two Michelin-starred Le Gavroche, and worked rapidly through the sections of the kitchen to became senior sous-chef. She was the first woman to hold such a senior position at the restaurant.

Over the years Monica has become a familiar television personality, as the inimitable presenter and judge on BBC MasterChef: The Professionals.