About Irina Georgescu
Celebrating Romanian Home Cooking
Irina Georgescu is an award-winning UK food writer from Romania whose books have earned a James Beard Award in the United States, a Silver Feather from Germany’s Gastronomische Akademie, and a nomination for Best International Cookbook by the British Guild of Food Writers.
Her writing has appeared in National Geographic Traveller, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, The Observer, The Independent, the Italian Corriere della Sera, SBS Australia, and The National Post in Canada, among other international publications in Austria, Germany, The Netherlands and Finland. More in the Media section here.
She talked about Romanian cuisine on BBC Radio London, Times Radio, Monocle Radio, KWRC Radio in California, and the New York–based Christopher Kimball radio and TV shows.
Television
She has appeared on television programmes such as Saturday Kitchen (BBC One), Sunday Brunch (Channel 4), Milk Street Television (United States), and Gusto TV (United States).
Cookery Books
She has written three books about Romania’s complex multi-ethnic culture and cuisine: ‘Carpathia’, ‘Tava’ and ‘Danube’ (with Hardie Grant, an imprint of Penguin Books). To see the covers, click here.
Irina leads Culinary travel tours in Romania, particularly in Transylvania and the Danube Delta. These initiatives focus on regional food traditions, local techniques, and alternative approaches to Romanian cultural identity through food.
Her work gained the support of many UK authors, including Nigella, Tom Parker Bowles, Charlotte Pike, Diana Henry, Felicity Cloake, Bee Wilson, and many more.
She has a BA in Humanities and a Diploma in Marketing, and she currently lives in Wales.
What Authors are saying about Irina’s work
“I am such a huge admirer…“
I am such a huge admirer of Irina Georgescu in general, and of this extraordinarily impressive and important book in particular. A must-have, not just for enquiring bakers but, crucially, for all those interested in the context and evolution of culinary culture.” – Nigella Lawson
Nigella Lawson
“A rare glimpse into a rich and diverse baking culture, this beautiful book is packed full of fascinating stories and recipes I can’t wait to taste.”
Felicity Cloake
“Irina Georgescu’s Tava is so accomplished in ambrosial gumption, the words exploding in my head are which should I try first. I love the clarity of sun-filled photography and pretty-pastry, and the unexpected layers beneath of ‘…opium with sugar and spices’, walnuts instead of flour, noodles, rum, history, politics, Hungary v. Romania… Belle Epoque in Bucharest. I conclude there are no empty calories where Georgescu’s presentation of Romanian & Eastern European confectionery is concerned. Everything is invested with allure and cleverness. Such a beautiful book.’”
Yemisi Aribisala
“Devoured it from start to finish, and learnt so much. As well as falling in love with the recipes“
“Like all the best cookbooks, Tava is as interested in the history and culture of Romania, as it is in all things sweet and baked. Enlightening, evocative and irresistible.’
Tom Parker Bowles
“A joy and an education. Irina Georgescu has disentangled the strands woven into Romanian cooking and identity and she has done so deliciously, through glorious cakes, pies, strudels and doughnuts. Cook, eat, learn.“ Diana Henry
“Romania is not yet well known as a gastronomic destination, but Irina Georgescu’s TAVA is set to change that. This delightful and unpretentious book tells the story of her culture through comforting food memories and delicious recipes for baking and desserts.”
Richard Bertinet
“A beautiful book full of life and flavour”
“A beautiful book full of life and flavour; I not only want to try so many of the recipes, I now want to visit the country that inspired them.
Mark Diacono
“Tempting you to travel to Carpathian mountains”
“I couldn’t be happier to see one of my favourite cuisines being represented by a voice as warm and thoughtful as Irina’s. Carpathia is full of delicious and interesting recipes and photos that will tempt you to travel to Carpathian mountains immediately.
Olia Hercules