Marlena Spieler broadcasts and writes internationally on her favorite subject: food — its histories and mysteries, the cooking, eating, and sharing of it. With over 70 cookbook titles (including contributions) to her credit, Marlena conjures up flavors and dishes from the Mediterranean to Mexico, California to France to eastern Europe and Asia, with and single subjects such as chili peppers, olive oil, mushrooms, to a book on classic Jewish food from all over the world. The Classic Barbecue and Grill Cookbook was a #1 best-seller in the UK. Marlena has been shortlisted numerous times for various awards including the prestigious James Beard (two books and one newspaper column), the Guild of Food Writers Awards (UK, best radio food broadcaster of the year, twice), and the Association of Food Journalists (USA: Best Column in Newspaper of Over 400,000 circulation — twice) for radio presenting, food writing and books. One of her books, Feeding Friends, won the International Cookbook Award in Perigueux, France in 2000, her Jewish Heritage Cooking was honored in the Loire Valley in 2003 by a Special Jury Award at World Gourmand Book Awards, and she was presented with the Gourmand Family Award in 2016 in Yantai, China.