Olia Hercules was born in Ukraine and forged a career as a chef in the UK, having trained at the renowned Leiths School of Food and Wine and working in restaurants such as Ottolenghi.

Olia lives in London with her husband and two sons, writing, cooking, teaching and feeding her unceasing curiosity by researching food culture and culinary traditions of countries less explored. She is the author of the award-winning cookbooks Mamushka, Kaukasis and Summer Kitchens. Home Food is her fourth book.