Samela Harris was born in Adelaide. She worked as a journalist in London and Edinburgh, pausing to marry, bear two sons and spend five years as an organic market gardener in lush Surrey, England. It was there that her interest in hearty home cookery developed. Returning to Australia as a supporting mother, Samela made bountiful shoestring budget meals the core of a secure environment for her sons. She worked at the Adelaide Advertiser as a features writer, critic and Internet writer. Samela is the daughter of Australian poet and social commentator, the late Max Harris.