Photograph of Monica Galetti and her friend Jérôme Merdrignac in 2003 which has been recreated in 2024. Monica Galetti and her friend Jérôme Merdrignac in 2003 and 2024. Later photograph: Pål Hansen.
Styling: Andie Redman. Hair and makeup/grooming: Ashleigh Haines. Archive image: courtesy of Monica Galetti Born in Samoa in 1975, Monica Galetti is a chef, MasterChef judge and Amazing Hotels presenter.
She developed a passion for food on her family’s plantation on the island of Upolu, before moving to New Zealand, where she established her name in the world of fine dining. In 1999, Galetti moved to London to work for Michel Roux Jr at his two-Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Gavroche, where she met her friend, Jérôme Merdrignac, who runs the London-based boutique dog walking business, Active Barks . Galetti is working with The Singleton whisky brand on its new Dream Gathering campaign .
Monica Oh my gosh. I have a vivid memory of this photo being taken: we were having a dinner party with a group of friends at our flat. Shortly before, Jérôme and I were fighting over the bathroom mirror.
He was hogging it! I was living with five sommeliers, including Jérôme, so there was a lot of wine and I was probably on cooking duties. I was 27; feisty, impatient and unafraid. Jérôme and I met at Le Gavroche.
My initial thoughts were that he was really hot. When he told me he was gay, I thought: “Oh great! Typical!” But we became close friends. Plus, his best fr.
