Samoan Master Chef, Monica Taumate Galetti, lined up for home visit
By Staff Writer
Born in Samoa Master Chef, Monica Taumate Galetti, is helping raise the image of Samoa as a tourist destination across Europe, United States and Australia, where her culinary skills in the global stage is renowned.
She is a Tourism Ambassador for Samoa responsible for promotional contributions through her career success.
The Samoa Tourism Authority is looking ahead to welcoming her home on a two weeks visit from January 26 to February 8.
CEO Toleafoa Pativaine Petaia-Tevita, of the Samoa Tourism Authority, is keen to spend time with the Master Chef during her visit.
“We are excited to welcome Galetti—both an ambassador for the Samoa Tourism Authority and a daughter of Samoa who has garnered international acclaim,” Toleafoa said in a media statement.
“Her visit will undoubtedly bolster Samoa’s worldwide visibility, and we look forward to attracting more visitors to our islands.”
Born in Samoa and raised in New Zealand,Galetti earned her Diploma in Hospitality from the Central Institute of Technology New Zealand.
Her profile in the culinary world received a quick boost by competing in prestigious cooking competitions across Australia, the United States, and Europe.
A significant turning point in her career was when she moved to London in the late 1990s.
In 2017, she opened her own restaurant, Mere, named after her mother in London in collaboration with her husband, David Galetti.
She soon established herself in the culinary industry not only as a master chef, successful restaurateur, and the author of two acclaimed cookbooks—Monica’s Kitchen and The Skills—but a television personality as well.
Not only was she a respected presenter but a judge on BBC2’s prestigious cooking show, MasterChef: The Professionals.
Galetti co-hosted 6 series of the BBC2 documentary television series since 2017, Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby, showcasing her expertise and engaging personality in the culinary field.
The Samoan Chef is one of five siblings and was born in the village of Fa’atoia with three brothers and one sister.
Her mother, Papalii Melegalenuu Poumau, was the youngest of nine children born to Kaiserina Faamoe Steven and Papalii Asiata Fauatea Poumau.
Papalii Asiata served as the Education Minister under Samoa’s first Prime Minister, Fiame Mata’afa from 1964 to 1967.
Monica’s father, the late Tuala Auimatagi Eric Fa’afiti, hailed from Leauva’a and Malie.
Seeking better opportunities, Monica’s parents decided to move to New Zealand.
In the early 1980s, Monica and her sister joined the rest of their family in New Zealand, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.
Monica’s father was so proud of her becoming a brand ambassador for Samoa in the UK and Europe, sadly he passed away in October 2024in Samoa.