Leyla Kazim

Leyla Kazim is a British travel and food presenter, broadcaster, writer, host, journalist, speaker, critic and creator.

Leyla is a critic on BBC One's MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals, a presenter on BBC Radio 4's The Food Programme and a judge for the BBC Food & Farming Awards.

In early 2023, Leyla presented films for BBC2's Coast to Coast, exploring the secrets of farmers and food producers across the UK.

In June 2023, Leyla launched her newsletter 'A Day Well Spent' which became a bestseller in 5 weeks. Her weekly dispatches explore self-empowerment, slow and sustainable living, and personal growth. https://leylakazim.substack.com/

Pathways (May 2025) is her debut book, a two-part limited edition with independent publisher The Pound Project — part memoir, part manifesto, part guide — chronicling her decision to leave city life to live off the land in rural Portugal. https://www.poundproject.co.uk/shop/pathways

Leyla's work has been featured in The Guardian, The Times & Sunday Times, Sainsbury's Magazine, delicious. magazine, Olive Magazine, Evening Standard, Tatler, Daily Mail, Huffington Post, Business Insider, Good Food Channel, Great British Chefs, The Culture Trip and The Caterer.

Alongside her presenting and writing work, Leyla regularly reviews, assesses and provides structured feedback on submitted content — judging entries for BBC One's MasterChef, the BBC Food & Farming Awards, and Channel 4's Beat the Chef against defined criteria, and reviewing large volumes of contributor submissions for Lonely Planet's Ultimate Eatlist. This work requires strong analytical and written communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to follow structured guidelines while ensuring quality, accuracy, and relevance. She also runs her own limited company, managing all administration and reporting independently.

Leyla's interests span food, travel and the natural world — the outdoors, wildlife, conservation, gardening, sustainability, farming, food production and preservation, the arts, crafts, food cultures and traditions, restaurants and social history.