Arabic version: نادية حسين تستعيد صوتها في عالم الطهي
Nadiya Hussain is taking charge of her career after a decade of success in the culinary world. Known for her warmth and charm since winning The Great British Bake Off in 2015, Hussain has recently spoken out about the challenges she faces as a Muslim woman in the industry. According to The Guardian, she has expressed concerns about being undervalued compared to her counterparts.
In her latest book, *Nadiya’s Quick Comforts*, Hussain embraces comfort food, featuring recipes like deep-fried cheese balls and golden syrup dumplings. She emphasizes the joy of food and the importance of balance in cooking, stating that extremes can be harmful. “Food brings so much joy, and I think we live in a society and a culture where we are scared into believing that everything we do is bad for us and wrong. I just think it’s taken the enjoyment out of life,” she said.
Last summer, Hussain publicly addressed her frustrations with the BBC’s decision not to commission a new cookery show after her previous projects. She described this period as enlightening, allowing her to reflect on her career and future direction. In her candid Instagram post, she discussed the feeling of gaslighting within the industry, highlighting her struggle to navigate her identity while being the only person like her in many professional settings.
Hussain’s recent experiences have led her to leave her agent and take control of her career. She expressed a desire to be her authentic self, moving away from a manufactured persona that made her more palatable to mainstream audiences. She believes that her faith and culture are integral to her identity, and she is determined to embrace them fully.
Reflecting on her past, Hussain acknowledged that she had softened her edges to fit into the industry’s expectations. She is now focused on shaping her career on her own terms and advocating for herself and others in similar positions. Hussain’s journey is a testament to her resilience and commitment to authenticity in a challenging landscape.
