New Recipes Come In To Me In My Dreams

Nadiya keeps a notebook by the bed for new recipes ideas…

- Vicki Power

When Nadiya Hussain says she dreams up recipes, she means it literally. The Bake Off winner-turned-TV chef reveals that ideas for new dishes come to her when she’s fast asleep!

“Things come to me in the night. I’ve a little sequinned notebook on the bedside table where I’ll jot things down,” says Nadiya, 33, when we meet to talk about her newest cookery book, Nadiya’s Family Favourites, and accompanying TV show.

“As soon as I think of something I write it down. I’ve even written things in my sleep. Sometimes I’ll get up and write a recipe and not known I’ve written it until the morning when I see it. It doesn’t always work, but often it does.”

Ever since she won the nation’s hearts with her cake-making skills on Bake Off in 2015, Nadiya’s career has gone from strength to strength. She’s diversified into TV presenting on shows like The Chronicles of Nadiya, The One Show, The Big Family Cooking Showdown and upcoming Nadiya’s Family Favourites this July. Since 2015 she’s penned four cookery books and written a novel, with more on the way.