Claudia Roden is a food writer with a special interest in the history and cultural background of food. Born in Egypt, she specialises in the cuisines of the Middle East and North Africa, the Mediterranean and in Jewish food. Her books are said to have influenced what we eat in Britain today and to have sparked an interest in the academic study of food. She received a CBE in 2022 for services to culinary culture.

Image © Jamie-Lau, Waitrose-Partners-Food