The Very Hungry Coeliac

Melanie Persson was diagnosed with coeliac disease in her early twenties, and as she began to explore the world of gluten-free cooking, she found that most recipes focused on health and restrictions rather than flavour and texture. She was devastated to think that the foods she had grown up with from Japan and Italy might now be out of reach. As a passionate cook, Mel was determined not to miss out, so she got to experimenting. She spent years in her kitchen perfecting gluten-free versions of the dishes she craved – from fresh pasta to decadent pastries, and udon noodles to baklava. The first ever coeliac contestant on Masterchef Australia in 2022, Mel now lives in York, England.