Maria Sevilla

María José Sevilla is a Spanish cook, writer, and broadcaster specializing in food and wine. She is considered one of the most influential women in the Spanish wine industry.

Born in Spain, María José Sevilla developed a deep passion for culinary arts and wine from a young age. She earned a Diploma from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust before joining the British Guild of Food Writers. Additionally, she is a member of the Gran Orden de los Caballeros del Vino, an honor recognizing her contributions to the Spanish wine industry.

Her career began in the culinary world. "As a passionate explorer of Spain's rich culinary landscapes, I'm excited to share my journey with you through my authored books," she says. Her work often involves promoting Spain's lesser-known wine regions and indigenous grapes, moving the Spanish wine conversation beyond Sherry and Rioja in the UK.

Sevilla has hosted regular press trips to Spain, showcasing the country's emerging wine regions. She also presented the popular BBC TV series "Spain on a Plate" in the 1990s, which won a Glenfiddich award in 1992. This series highlighted her ability to bring the flavors and stories of Spain to a broader audience.

Sevilla has authored several books on Spanish cuisine, including Delicioso (2002), A History of Food in Spain (2005), Life and Food in the Basque Country (2009), Spain on a Plate (1997), and Mediterranean Flavours (2011).

Her most recent work, Cocina de Andalucía (2024), explores the rich culinary traditions of the Andalucía region through 75 authentic recipes. This book celebrates local ingredients such as Iberico hams, olive oils, olives, sherry vinegar, sea salt, and tiger prawns.

In Cocina de Andalucía, Sevilla writes, "Discover the cuisine from this fascinating region in Southern Spain through 75 authentic recipes." The book features a variety of dishes, from tapas like Chorocitos in Oloroso Sherry and Fried Aubergines with Molasses to main courses such as Gazpacho Andaluz and Oxtail. The recipes are accompanied by brief histories related to the locality, the dishes, or the people who grow and prepare them.

María José Sevilla lives in London.

Photo credit: www.mariajosesevilla.com