Name: Lorraine Pascale (born Lorraine Victoria Brown; later adopted as Lorraine Pascale Woodward, though now primarily known by Lorraine Pascale)

Introduction: Lorraine Pascale is a British TV chef, author, and former model. She first achieved significant recognition as a high-fashion model in the 1990s before successfully transitioning into a highly popular culinary career, known for her accessible and easy-to-follow recipes, particularly in baking.

Date of birth: November 17, 1972

Height: 5 feet 10.5 inches (1.79 m)

Place of birth: London, United Kingdom (born at Hackney Mother’s Hospital). She was raised in Oxfordshire after being adopted.

Family:

• Biological Parents: Unmarried Caribbean parents (names not widely publicized).
• Adoptive Parents: Audrey Woodward (adoptive mother) and Roger Woodward (adoptive father). They later divorced. She was adopted at 18 months old.
• Foster Parents: Marion and John Bird (fostered her for six months as an infant, and again later in childhood).
• Siblings: She has an older brother named Jason (adoptive brother) through her adoptive parents. She also knows she has four biological siblings, but has stated she has no interest in contacting them.
• Spouse:
  • Kaz Balinski-Jundzill (m. 1995; div. 2000), a Polish musician.
  • Dennis O’Brien (m. 2021).
• Children: Ella Balinska (daughter, born 1996, with Kaz Balinski-Jundzill), who is an actress.
• Relatives: Her daughter, Ella Balinska, is a prominent actress.

Profession: TV chef, author, former model, entrepreneur, mental health advocate.

Nationality: British

Religion: Information not consistently available. She describes herself as a spiritual person.

College or university attended:

• Leith’s School of Food and Wine (trained in cookery).
• University of West London (graduated with a first-class honours degree in Culinary Arts Management).
• Currently pursuing a PhD focusing on midlife for women.

Biography and What Famous For:

Lorraine Pascale had a challenging early life. Born in London to unmarried parents, she was fostered as an infant, spent a brief time with her biological father, and then was re-fostered before being adopted at 18 months by Audrey and Roger Woodward. Her adoptive parents later divorced, and she faced difficulties during her childhood, including physical abuse from her adoptive mother and periods back in foster care. These experiences have shaped her advocacy work later in life.

At 16, she began a remarkably successful career as a fashion model in the 1990s. She quickly rose to prominence, working for renowned designers and brands like Versace, The Gap, Benetton, Chanel, Donna Karan, and Jasper Conran. She made history as the first Black British model to appear on the cover of American Elle in 1994. She walked the runway with supermodels like Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss.

Despite her modeling success, Pascale felt unfulfilled and, in her early 30s, decided to pursue her true passion: cookery. She enrolled at Leith’s School of Food and Wine and then furthered her education, earning a degree in Culinary Arts Management. She gained experience working in top kitchens in London, including Pétrus, the Mandarin Oriental, and The Wolseley.

Lorraine Pascale is most famous for her successful transition to a TV chef and bestselling cookbook author. She became known for her approachable and simple recipes, especially in baking and desserts. Her BBC television series include:

• “Baking Made Easy” (2011): This show, along with its accompanying cookbook, was an instant hit, selling over a million copies in the UK alone.
• “Home Cooking Made Easy”
• “Fast, Fresh and Easy Food”

Her TV shows have aired in over 70 countries worldwide, and she has also appeared as a judge on shows like “Worst Bakers in America” in the US.

In recent years, Pascale has taken a step back from active cooking shows to focus on other passions. She is currently pursuing a PhD, researching the experiences of women in midlife, and has become a vocal advocate for mental health and well-being, sharing insights on social media about aging, relationships, and self-care. She has also become the UK government’s first Fostering Ambassador, drawing on her own childhood experiences to support the foster care system.

Have participated (Selected):

As a Model:

• Magazine Covers: American Elle (1994), British Vogue, others.
• Advertising Campaigns: Versace, The Gap, Benetton, Chanel, Donna Karan, Jasper Conran, and more.
• Runway Shows: Major fashion houses during London, Paris, and New York fashion weeks in the 1990s.

As a Chef & TV Personality:

• Television Series (Host/Chef):
  • Baking Made Easy (BBC)
  • Home Cooking Made Easy (BBC)
  • Fast, Fresh and Easy Food (BBC)
  • Worst Bakers in America (Judge, US Food Network)
  • Fostering & Me with Lorraine Pascale (BBC documentary, 2014)
• Cookbooks:
  • Baking Made Easy
  • Home Cooking Made Easy
  • Fast, Fresh and Easy Food
  • A Lighter Way to Bake
  • Lorraine Pascale’s Everyday Easy
  • BAKE
• Bakeries:
  • Ella’s Bakehouse (Covent Garden, London – founded 2009)

Advocacy & Other Ventures:

• Mental health and wellness advocate.
• UK government’s Fostering Ambassador.
• Supporter of charities like Barnardo’s, TACT, Rays of Sunshine, and The Prince’s Trust.
• Doctoral research on women in midlife.