Lorraine Pascale

Lorraine Pascale's first BBC cookery show, Baking Made Easy (2011), has attracted some spectacular headlines as well as some great reviews, since its launch in January 2011. Audiences have peaked at nearly 3 million during the six-week series. Her first cookery book, of the same name, has reached number one in the best seller lists, and sales are soaring. The TV show centres on Lorraine's passion for baking, and features both sweet and savoury classics. Using her expertise as a trained chef, Lorraine gives both informed and practical advice. Her easy and approachable style, and her delicious and original ideas have proved a hit with both the public and the media. Her book, a labour of love, features 100 favourite recipes, and is packed full of ideas for every occasion, suitable for breakfast, dinner and even special occasions. A highly successful fashion model in the '90s - Lorraine fronted campaigns for brands including Versace, Donna Karan, Katharine Hamnett and The Gap. The first British Black model on the cover of American Elle, she also worked regularly with Kate Moss, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell and influential fashion editor Edward Enninful for i-D magazine. But, at the start of 2000, Lorraine turned her back on her successful modelling career, deciding to pursue her long-term passion for cookery. She enrolled on Leith's Diploma of Food and Wine course, and learnt about every aspect of food. She also worked stages in kitchens including "The Square", "Petrus", "The Mandarin Oriental", "The Wolseley", "Hakkasan" and the "Hummingbird Bakery". She started her degree in International Culinary Arts In Pastry, which she is completing in 2011. In 2009, she opened her first retail operation, the Covent Garden-based "Ella's Bakehouse", a specialist and popular cupcake shop. Lorraine supports children's charity, Barnados, and she plans to work with TACT, a charity that helps children in the care system. Adopted, herself, at the age of 18 months, Lorraine is passionate about using her skills to help children from all walks of life. Lorraine currently resides in London with her partner and her daughter, Ella Balinska.