Melanie Persson is the bestselling author of The Very Hungry Coeliac (2023) and Gluten Free Feasts (2025). She appeared on MasterChef Australia in 2022, where she was the first contestant to compete as a gluten-free cook. Since being diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2016, she has worked hard to recreate the dishes she once loved and make them accessible to others navigating a gluten-free lifestyle. Her recipes are strongly influenced by her Swedish heritage and her experiences living in Australia, Japan and Italy. Mel’s recipes celebrate global flavours while remaining approachable and comforting. Through her vibrant online community, she has inspired thousands to rediscover the joy of cooking and eating without compromise. Her third book, Gluten Free Bakes, continues her journey of making gluten-free food delicious, inclusive and full of possibility. Mel loves research in and out of the kitchen, and completed her PhD in children’s literature in 2025. Now based in Melbourne, Australia, she continues to pursue academic work alongside her cooking. When she’s not in the kitchen or the library, you’ll likely find her at a quiz night, playing board games or working on a pottery project.
