Rachel Khoo is a British chef

Rachel Khoo is a British chef, author, and broadcaster renowned for her creative interpretations of French cuisine. Born on August 28, 1980, in Croydon, South London, she hails from a multicultural background with a Malaysian-Chinese father and an Austrian mother. Her early exposure to diverse culinary traditions sparked her passion for food.IMDb+4Wikipedia+4Kiddle+4

Early Life and Education

Khoo attended Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, earning a degree in art and design. After working in public relations for Thomas Pink, she sought a new direction and, without prior knowledge of French, moved to Paris in 2006. There, she completed a three-month patisserie course at Le Cordon Bleu, marking the beginning of her culinary journey. During her time in Paris, she worked part-time as an au pair and at Printemps, an upscale department store, to support herself.Wikipedia+9Wikipedia+9Kiddle+9

Culinary Career and Rise to Fame

In 2010, Khoo received her first publishing deal for two French-language cookbooks: Barres à céreales, muesli et granola maison and Pâtes à tartiner. These were later translated into English as Rachel Khoo’s Muesli and Granola and Rachel Khoo’s Sweet and Savory Pâtés. To test recipes for her first English-language cookbook, The Little Paris Kitchen, she opened a small restaurant in her Paris flat in the Belleville neighborhood, accommodating just two diners at a time. Using social media to advertise the restaurant, she quickly attracted a large fan base. Later, the BBC commissioned The Little Paris Kitchen: Cooking with Rachel Khoo, her first TV series, which aired in 2012. The show showcased her ability to prepare French dishes in a small Parisian kitchen, making French cuisine accessible to a broader audience.PepTalk+7Wikipedia+7Kiddle+7 The Sun+3Kiddle+3Wikipedia+3

Following the success of her debut series, Khoo continued to expand her culinary repertoire with several other television programs, including Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook series, My Swedish Kitchen, and Simple Pleasures. She also appeared on Zumbo’s Just Desserts and served as a judge on The Great Australian Bake Off. Her engaging personality and innovative approach to cooking have made her a beloved figure in the culinary world.The Happy Foodie+3Maldives Virtual Tour+3Kiddle+3 The Sun+5Kiddle+5Wikipedia+5

Authorial Works

Rachel Khoo has authored six cookbooks, which have been translated into over 14 languages. Her notable works include:SheerLuxe+2LinkedIn+2Sonder & Tell+2

The Little Paris Kitchen (2012): A cookbook inspired by her experiences cooking in her Parisian flat.Wikipedia+1BBC+1
My Little French Kitchen (2013): Explores regional French cuisine.SheerLuxe
The Little Swedish Kitchen (2016): Reflects her life in Sweden and the country’s culinary traditions.
Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook series: A collection of recipes from her travels and experiences.Wikipedia

Her books have been praised for their approachable style and beautiful photography, making French and European cooking accessible to home cooks worldwide.

Personal Life and Philosophy

Rachel Khoo currently resides in Stockholm, Sweden, with her Swedish chef husband, Robert Wiktorin, and their three children. She values the balance of family roles and shared parental responsibilities, which is supported by Sweden’s generous parental leave policies. Khoo emphasizes the importance of gender equality in both her personal and professional life. She has spoken out about the challenges women face in the food industry, including instances of sexism and inappropriate behavior on set. In response, she launched the Khoo Academy, a mentoring program aimed at supporting women pursuing careers in the culinary field. The Times+3The Sun+3Wikipedia+3

Media Appearances

Rachel Khoo has been featured in several television programs, including:

The Little Paris Kitchen: Cooking with Rachel Khoo (2012): Her breakout series showcasing French cuisine from her Parisian apartment.BBC
Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook series: Exploring global culinary traditions.
My Swedish Kitchen: A look into Swedish culinary practices.The Times
Zumbo’s Just Desserts: A dessert competition series.
The Great Australian Bake Off: Serving as a judge, bringing her expertise to the competition.

Her television appearances have further solidified her status as a culinary personality and educator.

Summary

Rachel Khoo’s journey from a public relations professional to a celebrated chef and broadcaster is a testament to her passion for food and storytelling. Through her cookbooks, television programs, and personal philosophy, she continues to inspire home cooks and culinary enthusiasts around the world. Her commitment to making cooking accessible and enjoyable reflects her belief that food is a universal language that brings people together.