Nadiya Hussain

For the Pakistani actress, see Nadia Hussain.
Nadiya Hussain
Born Nadiya Jamir Begum
(1984-12-25) 25 December 1984
Luton, Bedfordshire, England
Nationality British
Occupation Television personality, presenter, newspaper columnist, author
Years active 2015–present
Employer BBC / ITV
Agent AK Artist Management
Television The Great British Bake Off
Loose Women
Junior Bake Off
The Chronicles of Nadiya
Religion Islam
Spouse(s) Abdal Hussain
Children 3
Website www.nadiyahussain.com

Nadiya Jamir Hussain[1] (née Begum;[2] born 25 December 1984) is a British baker, columnist, author and television presenter. She rose to fame after winning the sixth series of BBC's The Great British Bake Off in 2015.[3][4]

Hussain was born to a British Bangladeshi family in Luton, where she grew up. She developed her interest in cooking while at school and largely self-educated herself in cooking by reading recipe books and watching instructional videos on YouTube. She married and moved to Leeds, where she began studying for an Open University degree. In 2015 she appeared in The Great British Bake Off and won the contest. She was subsequently invited to produce a cake for the 90th birthday celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II and to present her own BBC documentary, The Chronicles of Nadiya.

Hussain is a columnist for The Times Magazine and Essentials magazine, has signed publishing deals with Penguin Random House,[5] Hodder Children's Books,[6] and Harlequin.[7] She is also a regular reporter for The One Show and a guest panellist on Loose Women.[8] Hussain was named by Debrett's as one of the 500 most influential people in the UK in 2016.[9]

Early life

Hussain is a second-generation Bangladeshi Briton born and raised in Luton, where she attended Challney High School and Luton Sixth Form College. She was one of six children, with three sisters and two brothers. Hussain's father was a chef and owned an Indian restaurant.[10] Hussain started wearing hijab aged 14 to cover up her "bad hair more than anything else" because her father "cut it really badly."[11]

Hussain learned basic cooking skills at school; her mother never baked and used the oven for storage. She taught herself the rest from recipe books and watching videos on YouTube. Her favourite book is a baking book by Irish novelist Marian Keyes.[12]

At the time of The Great British Bake Off, Hussain was a full-time mother living in Leeds with her husband, an IT specialist, and studying for an Open University degree in Childhood and Youth Studies.[13] As part of a pre-arranged wager with her husband, their house was sold, within seven days, in preparation for a move to Milton Keynes.[12]

Television career

The Great British Bake Off

In 2015, Hussain appeared on and won the sixth series of The Great British Bake Off. During the final she baked 16 iced buns in three hours, as well as raspberry-flavoured mille-feuille, to one of Paul Hollywood's recipes, in two hours, and a multi-layered presentation showstopper which took the form of "My Big Fat British Wedding Cake", in a time of four hours. During her acceptance speech, she said, "I'm never gonna put boundaries on myself ever again. I'm never gonna say I can't do it. I'm never gonna say 'maybe'. I'm never gonna say, 'I don't think I can.' I can and I will."[14]

With more than 15 million viewers, the final was the most-watched show of 2015.[15] Her appearance on the show, and ensuing popularity with audiences, were deemed important steps toward shifting stereotypes about the Muslim community and acceptance about cultural diversity.[16][17][18]

Hussain established a large following on social media thanks to her stunning show-stoppers and her illuminating facial expressions, her online followers describe themselves as "Nadiyators" and also won backing of then Prime Minister David Cameron.[19]

Junior Bake Off

Main article: Junior Bake Off

In 2016, Hussain became judge on Junior Bake Off.[20] Hussain replaced Mary Berry on CBBC’s version of the contest in which 40 children aged 9 to 12 compete to create the best cakes and treats.[21]

The Chronicles of Nadiya

Hussain was presenter of two-part foodie travelogue, The Chronicles of Nadiya,[22] in which she travels to Bangladesh to trace her culinary roots.[23] She visits paternal grandfather's village in the Sylhet region of north-east Bangladesh. She cooked for the crew of one of the country's famous paddle steamers that ply the waterways, and visited a riverside village where they still practise the ancient art of otter fishing. In the capital Dhaka, she helped Thrive, a charity delivering meals to deprived schoolchildren.[24]

The first episode debuted straight after The Great British Bake Off aired on 24 August 2016 and was watched by 4.5 million viewers, a 20.5% share of all television viewers during the broadcast slot.[25] The Chronicles of Nadiya was Nominated for 2017 National Television Awards under 'Factual Entertainment' category.[26]

Media appearances

On Christmas Day 2015, Hussain made a cameo appearance in the BBC One show Michael McIntyre's Big Christmas Show recorded at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.[27] Hussain has been a regular reporter for The One Show on BBC One.[28][29]

Hussain is a guest presenter on Loose Women.[8] She announced on the programme that she had been given the honour of baking Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday cake,[30][31] an orange drizzle cake with orange curd and orange butter cream. Hussain said: "When I told the kids (I was making a cake for the Queen), the boys were great at keeping it a secret. I told my daughter and she said, 'Oh Mary Berry? You’ve made lots of cakes for Mary Berry'."[32]

In August 2016, Hussain was a guest on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs,[33] and was interviewed by Kirsty Young. She opened up about her struggles as a young mother, the social isolation suffered by some Muslim women and how her confidence grew during Bake-Off. She described the racial abuse she still receives on the street and, determined to be a good role model to her children, how she responds with the “dignity of silence”.[9][34][35]

In December 2016, Hussain is to present a two-hour cookery show at her home on BBC Radio 2 alongside Olly Smith as part of BBC radio Christmas lineup. The show is her first new programme after signing a deal to make the BBC her ‘home’ - scotching speculation she would join Channel 4’s version of Bake Off. [36]

Writing career

Hussain writes a weekly column for The Times Magazine, a part of the Saturday supplement of The Times,[12][37][38] as well as a monthly column in Essentials magazine.[39] Her recipes have also appeared in BBC's Good Food magazine,[40] The Sun on Sunday's Fabulous magazine,[41][42] The Guardian [43] and The Telegraph.[43]

Hussain was signed by UK publisher Michael Joseph, part of Penguin Random House,[5] for her debut book Nadiya's Kitchen, which is a collection of the recipes which she cooks for friends and family.[44]

Hussain has written a children's book of stories and recipes, Bake Me A Story, published by Hodder Children's Books,[6] which blends updated versions of fairytales (poor "Sleepless Beauty" just needs a nice cup of cardamom-infused hot chocolate to break her curse; resourceful Jack wins the giant over with yummy bean patties) with colourful illustrations and child-friendly recipes.[2]

She is also writing three contemporary women’s fiction novels for Harlequin.[7] Her debut novel due to be published in Jan 2017, The Secret Lives of the Amir Sisters, explores life, faith and identity as a second-generation Bangladeshi in the UK through dysfunctional but loveable Amir family.

Baking career

Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday

Hussain was commissioned by Buckingham Palace to bake Elizabeth II's cake as part of her 90th birthday celebrations. Hussain chose to bake an orange drizzle cake with orange curd and orange buttercream.[45][46]

Other commissions

Hussain was commissioned by London Dungeon to mark the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, and created a fire-inspired loaf.[47] In June 2016, Hussain collaborated with Champneys Spa Hotel to create a special afternoon tea dessert.[48] She was also commissioned by Disney to make an Alice inspired cake for 'Alice Through the Looking Glass' themed tea party in London.[49][50]

Personal life

Hussain is married to Abdal Hussain which was an arranged marriage and together they have three children - two sons and a daughter.[12][51] Hussain's birthday is on Christmas Day[52] and her sister Sadiya's birthday is on Christmas Eve.[53]

Hussain is ambassador for Starlight Children's Foundation, which supports lives of seriously ill children[54] and is also WaterAid ambassador.[55] Hussain has shown her support for Armistice Day by wearing a 'poppy headscarf', designed to commemorate the number of Muslim soldiers who fought in World War One as well as promote the wearing of the poppy amongst British Muslims. [56]

Filmography

Television
Year Title Channel Role
2015 The Great British Bake Off[15] BBC One Contestant & Winner
2015, 2016— The One Show[28][29] Reporter
2015— Saturday Kitchen'[57][58] Guest chef
2016— Loose Women[8][32] ITV Occasional panellist
2016 The Chronicles of Nadiya BBC One Presenter
Would I Lie to You? Guest
Junior Bake Off[20] CBBC Judge
Guest appearances

Bibliography

References

  1. Khaleeli, Homa (12 October 2015). "Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain: 'I wasn't thinking about representing Muslims, I was thinking about my bakes'". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  2. 1 2 Hawkes, Rebecca (24 August 2016). "11 inspiring things that Nadiya Hussain has done since winning the Great British Bake Off". The Telegraph. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  3. Robinson, Martin; Freeth, Becky (8 October 2015). "Nadiya cried, Mary Berry cried... then we all cried: Viewers reduced to tears as Bake Off favourite secures emotional victory by making the British wedding cake she missed out on at her own ceremony". Daily Mail. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  4. Ward, Rachel (8 October 2015). "The Great British Bake Off 2015: the final - Nadiya crowned winner". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  5. 1 2 Cowdrey, Katherine (17 December 2015). "GBBO winner Nadiya cuts deal with Michael Joseph". The Bookseller. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  6. 1 2 Eyre, Charlotte (14 January 2016). "GBBO's Nadiya Hussain to write children's book". The Bookseller. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  7. 1 2 Cowdrey, Katherine (11 April 2016). "GBBO's Nadiya Hussain to write women's fiction for HQ". The Bookseller. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 Welsh, Daniel (2 February 2016). "'Great British Bake Off' Winner Nadiya Hussain Lands 'Loose Women' Guest Panellist Role". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  9. 1 2 "Nadiya Hussain: The Great British Bake Off winner reveals racial abuse", BBC News, 14 August 2016.
  10. Hund, John (19 June 2016). "Nadiya Hussain: 'I have a senseless love affair with cheese'". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  11. Sanghani, Radhika (10 August 2016). "Nadiya Hussain's 'bad hair' - and the other reasons why Muslim women wear headscarves". The Telegraph. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Louise Carpenter (15 November 2015). "What Nadiya did next". The Times. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  13. Millard, Rosie (7 October 2015). "Bake Off's Nadiya on her baking inspiration, coping with fame and why her headscarf doesn't stop her loving tea and bunting". Radio Times. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  14. "'I can and I will': the best acceptance speeches ever". The Guardian. 8 October 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  15. 1 2 "The Great British Bake Off most-watched TV show in 2015". BBC. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  16. Aly, Remona (8 October 2015). "Nadiya Hussain Has Won So Much More Than The Great British Bake Off". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  17. Turner, Terry (20 October 2015). "Muslim Mom Wins Prestigious UK Bake-off, Recipe for Race Relations". Good News Network. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  18. Oot, Torey Van (27 October 2015). "How One Woman Is Using Her Oven To Change The Way The World Sees Muslims". Refinery29. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
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  20. 1 2 "Nadiya Hussain to judge Junior Bake Off". The Telegraph. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
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  22. 1 2 3 "Nadiya Hussain" at IMDb.
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  28. 1 2 "BBC One - The One Show, 04/12/2015". BBC.
  29. 1 2 "BBC One - The One Show, 08/01/2016". BBC.
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  31. Frost, Caroline (15 April 2016). "'Great British Bake Off' Champion Nadiya Hussain Will Bake HM The Queen's 90th Birthday Cake". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  32. 1 2 "Icing on the cake for Yorkshire's own Nadiya - she's baking for Queen's 90th birthday". The Yorkshire Post. 15 April 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
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  34. Nadia Khomami, "Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain says racist abuse is part of her everyday life", The Guardian, 14 August 2016.
  35. Robin De Peyer, "Great British Bake Off's Nadiya Hussain: 'I expect verbal and physical racist abuse every day'", Evening Standard, 14 August 2016.
  36. "Nadiya Hussain and Attenborough part of BBC radio festive feast". The Guardian. 22 November 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  37. Waring, Olivia (13 November 2015). "Great British Bake Off champ Nadiya Jamir Hussain lands her Berry own column". Metro. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
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  39. "#NadiyaBakes". Essentials. 28 December 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  40. Hussain, Nadiya (December 2015). "Christmas white chocolate traybake". Good Food. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  41. "Nadiya Hussain serves up pastry perfection... and reveals how to avoid the dreaded soggy bottom". The Sun on Sunday. 5 June 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  42. "Nadiya Hussain shares her top dessert recipes for ultimate baking inspo". The Sun on Sunday. 12 June 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  43. 1 2 hussain, nadiya (4 November 2016). "Nadiya Hussain's cod and clementine recipe". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
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  48. White, Jack (13 June 2016). "Exclusive: Nadiya Hussain on meeting The Queen and her dream celebrity cake client". Hello. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  49. Mars El Brogy (3 October 2016). "Soho gallery becomes Alice-inspired Underland". LondonLive. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  50. "Britain Alice Through the Looking Glass tea party". AP Images. 3 October 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
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  52. Sayid, Ruki (20 November 2015). "GBBO winner Nadiya says 'be like a baker' and prepare for Royal Mail's last posting dates before Christmas". The Mirror. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  53. Hussain, Nadiya (19 December 2015). "Nadiya Hussain's sour cherry florentines". The Times. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  54. "Nadiya Hussain becomes a Starlight Ambassador", Starlight.
  55. "Nadiya Hussain: 'My childhood holiday memories mean I can never take clean water for granted'", WaterAid, 1 August 2016.
  56. Hussain, Nadiya (11 November 2015). "Armistice Day: Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain wears 'poppy hijab'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  57. "Christmas recipes", Food Programmes, BBC.
  58. Becca Longmore, "Saturday Kitchen viewers slam 'inappropriate' Denise Welch over cheeky cooking innuendo", Sunday Express, 16 July 2016.
  59. "CBeebies Bedtime Story — S1-E516 Nadiya Hussain - Fabulous Pie", Radio Times.
  60. "Nadiya Hussain - Chocolate Mousse for Greedy Goose", CBeebies Bedtime Stories.
  61. Jane Hardy, "Delete, Delete, Delete: Browsing around Patrick Kielty's history", The Irish News, 26 March 2016.
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