Maria's been in restaurants since she was knee-high to a grasshopper, helping out in the family business and going on to run kitchens and open restaurants for others around the world as part of her consultancy business. She's also released three award-winning cookbooks, including the tantalising Smashing Plates, where the Sunshine of the Med bursts from every page.

However, it has always been her intention to own a place in Suffolk, somewhere casual and informal, to share her deeply ingrained love of slow food and slow living.

Set in a beautifully converted barn in Clopton, Maria's supper clubs are total one-offs,  held every four to six weeks. It could be dinner...or a lazy Sunday lunch in the stunning venue – formerly used to house farm vehicles.

She wants the experience to be relaxed and fun, like going to dinner with friends. "These days, everybody's always rushing around, aren't they? I want people to come here and switch off completely and feel like they've gone on holiday for the day. We all lack that in our lives, with the world so torn apart. Sometimes, to sit and 'be' is one of the most important things."

If you'd like to be on Maria's mailing list for future events, add your name via her website: https://www.thisismariaelia.com/  or get in touch via email: mariaelia@icloud.com or DM via her Instagram account @mariaelia9