Nadiya Hussain has made news home and abroad by winning the 2015 Great British Bake Off. She gives credit to her husband for being her greatest support in winning the contest in the most watched television programme. Nadiya is a British Bangali, who was raised in Luton where she attended Challney High School and Luton Sixth Form College. Nadiya learned basic cooking skills at school. Her mother never baked and used the oven for storage instead. Mother of three herself, Nadiya brushed her cooking and baking skills from reading recipe books and watching videos on YouTube. Her favourite book of all time is a book on baking by Irish novelist Marian Keyes.
One of television's greatest cooks took time to share her experience with Dhaka Tribune. Below is a glimpse of the conversation.
Were you into cooking since childhood? I learned to cook from my parents, but only started baking after I got married and moved out at the age of 21.
When did you take up baking seriously? I took baking seriously about five years ago.
How much do you think, your love for cooking and baking has to do with you being a Bangladeshi, since Bangladeshi women are known to be more into cooking? Cooking and baking have come from my love of learning. Being in the kitchen feels like I'm experimenting with science and that's what intrigues me the most.
What made you decide to compete at the 2015 Great British Bake Off? I competed in the bake off to give myself a challenge and to help give me confidence.
Who inspires you the most? My biggest inspiration has been by grandmother, who is an amazing cook and ever so resilient throughout her life. Apart from her, my husband and my children are my constant source of inspiration, since they are the ones who taste everything I prepare at home.
What is the secret to a great cake? Measure all your ingredients and be scrupulous!
What do you plan to do when you go to Bangladesh? I want to enjoy my trip to Bangladesh and discover parts of the beautiful country that I haven't seen yet.
