Samantha Vallejo-Nagera

Spain

Biography

Samantha Vallejo-Nágera, Madrid 1969, chef, businesswoman, sportswoman, 'eat-girl', author of 4 books and mother of 4 children, in addition to being a juror on TVE's hit programme 'MasterChef'.

Samantha has spent over 20 years working in the world of professional cooking.

Firstly, in the renowned 'Horcher' and 'Arzak' restaurants and then in the 'Paul Bocuse' cookery school. Then, in New York, where she made her mark thanks to her famous takeaway 'paellas' delivered on skates and, later, through the renowned catering company 'Samantha de España', which struck a chord with its creative international cuisine, bright, colourful presentation – at marquee events, private parties and weddings.

She has written 4 books where she shares her best recipes and her advice ('Cenamos en Casa', 'Cocina de Samantha Vallejo-Najera', 'Quedar bien sin complicarte la vida' and 'Las Recetas con Chocolate').

For a year, she had a daily programme on the Cookery Channel – 'El Toque de Samantha'.

Since 2013, she has been a juror on the TVE programmes MasterChef and MasterChef Junior.

Additionally, Samantha has a blog in which she recounts her daily experiences in the culinary world and includes some original, simple recipes while also covering her sporting side, her favourite beauty products, and her places and who she follows. Samantha loves the countryside and its products, leads a healthy lifestyle which she shares on social networks with her legions of followers, revealing her more intimate side.

Her 'show-cooking' is famous and many brands have chosen her as the best specifier to show the great variety of options in our daily diet – for children and adults – with fun, easy-to-make dishes which entrance us at first sight. Following in her footsteps, it is impossible not to learn something new every day because, as she says, 'you learn something new in the kitchen every day. It is a world where experimentation never ends. Whether you are the best chef in the world or you have studied at the best culinary schools, there is always a flavour or a recipe which will surprise and delight you'.

2014 saw the launch of various different business projects. Her website is full of colour and life, and contains her blog and on-line shop where you can buy all her 'musts' to be the perfect foodie. It is also where you can find the SamyFork: the silver fork bracelet that has come to be a symbol for those who love cooking in Spain.

 

The Cook & Chef Foundation is formed by relevant figures from international haute cuisine and young talent who share a vision of the world based on respect, on ethics, and on the good work of signature cooking.