2023 UPDATE
Hello! I don’t really use this website anymore. You can instead find me over on my bestselling Substack newsletter called A Day Well Spent. I hope to see you there!
Hello! And welcome.
My name is Leyla and I’m a lover of far-off lands and all things gustatory, living in South West London.
I created this little corner of the internet back in October 2012 (gosh, that’s a long time ago) – it was always intended to be a personal anthology charting the places I visit, the cultures I experience, the food I eat, and the impressions they make upon me.
I was brought up surrounded by exceptional cooking from my Mauritian mother and Turkish-Cypriot father; appreciating the huge range of flavours available in the culinary world is something I actively seek out and happily partake in on a daily basis. And so, naturally, I spent the best part of 2015 on one big 8 month-long trip, eating my way around the world.
I studied Astrophysics at university and worked in a software company for several years – neither of which automatically marry themselves with the love of travel and food. But I was always planning the next flight and dreaming of the next tasty morsel.
I now spend most of my time eating, travelling, presenting, hosting, reporting, writing and creating content about travel and food. I absolutely love this weird and wonderful path life ended up taking me down. As it stands right now, I wouldn’t change it for the world.
I’m a critic on BBC One’s MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals and a presenter on BBC Radio 4’s award winning The Food Programme, now in its 40th year. I’m a judge for the prestigious annual BBC Food & Farming Awards and have been a judge on Channel 4’s cooking competition show Beat The Chef.
I’ve also been able to draw on my broad catalogue of culinary experiences to co-create Lonely Planet’s book: The Ultimate Eatlist, The World’s Top 500 Food Experiences.
In September 2021, I completed a two week residential Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course at world-renowned Findhorn Ecovillage in Forres, North East Scotland. The PDC was originally developed by Bill Mollison, co-founder of Permaculture, to teach the principles and foundations of sustainable design. This certificate, issued on behalf of the Permaculture Association, is recognised globally within the permaculture community and provides international recognition of me as a Permaculture Design graduate. So that’s cool!
People are kind enough to say nice things about me (I’m always so chuffed and honoured), and for those who are interested, here’s where you can find me and my work across the media.
This blog chronicles my thoughts, experiences and endeavours along my global journey of discovery. All words and photography are my own and I hope you enjoy them.
Leyla
P.S. If you’re a regularly reader, or one of those awesome people that always writes a comment under my Instagram posts – I’d like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU. And if anyone else would like to say hi, I would love to hear from you. Feel free to give me a wave over on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube.
P.P.S. If you are media, a business or brand interested in working with me, head on over here.
Great Work Leyla. My first memories of falling in love for delicious noodles post. thanks for sharing this post with us.
nice
I am just reading your blog with my wife Mel. We love your website! Your writing is so expressive and the photos are great. We have been to the Grain Store and love it as much as you do
Thank you so much for saying so Priya, that's always lovely to hear 🙂 🙂
Hi Leyla
i am regular reader of your blog and really love to read you blog.
Regards
shahid
That's very kind, thank you!
Great Work Leyla. My first memories of falling in love for food has been my mother cooking delicious noodles for me. Nice to connect to you. 🙂
A lovely memory. Thank you for stopping by!
Hey Leyla, I always love to visit and check if a restaurant has had one of your trusty reviews before visiting. Your brilliant blog name 'the cutlerychronicles' has stuck with me since the first time I saw it!
That's a lovely thing to say, thank you so much! 🙂
I love reading your blog, Leyla. It's truly beautiful.
I completely relate to your wise words on excellent food and hospitality, and spend much of my time dreaming of the next wonderful meal or dessert.
Wishing you a lovely week, kindred spirit.
Hello Ruthie, thanks so much for your kind words 🙂
Sorry Leyla – must spell your name right!!! and it is the Ashley from Experian by the way 🙂
Hi Layla – I am just reading your blog with my wife Mel. We love your website! Your writing is so expressive and the photos are great. We have been to the Grain Store and love it as much as you do. I am so pleased that you are doing so well and we must meet up soon. Ashley
Hi Ashley! I've just seen this. Thanks so much – always great to hear people actually read my words. I hope you're well! x
Love it!! 🙂
What inspired you to create the blog Leylabell? What motivates you to continue?
Always a close friend no matter how distant..
Micky
Thanks Micky! 🙂 I talk about and enjoy food so much I thought it was about time I started something like this. It's also a good place to record my recipes for my own reference, and remember what I thought about certain restaurants. I don't quite get to post as often as I like, but hopefully it's an interesting read when I do. I'm glad you like it 🙂