Maria was born in Sierra Leone. She grew up in Freetown, and started helping her mother prepare family meals from about nine years of age. Inspired by her heritage, Maria reinvents traditional African dishes to create high end Afro-fusion cuisine. She is renowned for her “Salone Spark” and “Salone Fire” sauces which, along with her traditional drinks, received Great Taste Awards in 2023.
Maria studied at Leiths School of Food and Wine and founded Maria Bradford Kitchen in 2017. Her catering is in high demand for corporate events, weddings and private dining throughout Africa and the UK. Her first cookbook, Sweet Salone, was published by Quadrille in July 2023. It is longlisted for the 2023 Andre Simon Food and Drink Awards. Maria lives in the South of England with her husband and two children.
For more information, please visit https://shwenshwen.com/
